Bill Text: HI HB2485 | 2012 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Electric Vehicles; Parking

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2012-03-08 - (S) Referred to TIA/ENE, WAM. [HB2485 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2012-HB2485-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO.  38-12

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2485

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2485 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE PARKING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to assist Hawaii in addressing its energy needs and promote the increased use of electric vehicles by simplifying and clarifying current requirements for electric vehicle parking.  Among other things, this measure:

 

     (1)  Clarifies the parking space requirements for electric vehicle parking in parking lots with over 100 parking spaces; and

 

     (2)  Delays, for one year, the implementation of warnings given to non-electric vehicles parked in stalls reserved for electric vehicles.

 

     The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism supported this measure.  Outrigger Hotels Hawaii and Better Place, Inc. supported the intent of this measure.  Blue Planet Foundation supported this measure with amendments.

 

     Hawaii relies primarily on the consumption of imported oil to satisfy its energy needs.  Much of this imported oil is used for the production of gasoline to fuel internal combustion engines.  With over one million registered motor vehicles on Hawaii's roadways, the consumption of gasoline can be enormous.

 

     One possible mechanism to reduce the consumption of petroleum products is to promote the use of newer technologies in everyday life.  Providing parking incentives such as reserved parking for electric vehicles in parking structures or parking facilities is one way to try to foster the rapid development of electric vehicle use in Hawaii.  However, according to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Hawaii's current electric vehicle parking law has caused confusion among the public.  This measure addresses this issue.

 

     However, your Committee has been informed that requiring electric vehicle stalls to be located near the entrance of a parking structure may be difficult since the stall must also be equipped with an electrical charger and electrical connections in the area may not be readily accessible.  Your Committee has also been informed that many facilities use valet parking with valet stalls often being located near the entrances of parking structures.  Since valet stalls are not accessible to the general public, placing electric vehicle stalls in those locations would also be difficult.

 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

 

(1)  Allowing parking lot owners the flexibility of locating the electric vehicle parking stall anywhere in the parking structure or lot; and

 

(2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2485, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2485, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

 

 

		____________________________ JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair