Bill Text: HI SB3049 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Solar Energy Devices; Financing, Lease, or Sale Agreement; Requirements
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-17 - The committee on TRE deferred the measure. [SB3049 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-SB3049-Introduced.html
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
3049 |
|
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to energy.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§196- Solar energy device sale or lease agreements; requirements. (a) An agreement governing the financing, sale, or lease of a solar energy device shall:
(1) Be signed by the person buying, financing, or leasing the solar energy device and shall be dated;
(2) Be in at least ten-point type;
(3) Include a provision granting the buyer or lessee the right to rescind the financing, sale, or lease agreement for a period of not less than three business days after the agreement is signed by the buyer or lessee and before the solar energy device is installed;
(4) Provide a description, including the make and model of the solar energy device's major components, or a guarantee concerning energy production output that the solar energy device being sold or leased will provide over the life of the agreement;
(5) Separately set forth the following items, if applicable:
(A) The total purchase price or total cost to the buyer or lessee under the agreement for the solar energy device over the life of the agreement;
(B) Any interest, installation fees, document preparation fees, service fees, or other costs to be paid by the buyer or the lessee of the solar energy device; and
(C) If the solar energy device is being financed, the total number of payments, the payment frequency, the amount of the payment expressed in dollars, and the payment due date;
(6) Provide a disclosure of all current tax incentives, rebates, or other state or federal incentives for which the buyer or lessee may be eligible and any conditions or requirements pursuant to the agreement to obtain these tax incentives, rebates, or other incentives;
(7) Identify the tax obligations that the buyer or lessee may be required to pay as a result of buying, leasing, or financing the solar energy device, including:
(A) The assessed value and the property tax assessments associated with the solar energy device calculated in the year that the agreement is signed;
(B) Any general excise or other tax obligations that may be assessed against the person buying or leasing the solar energy device; and
(C) Any obligation of the buyer or lessee to transfer tax credits or tax incentives of the solar energy device to another person;
(8) Disclose whether the warranty or maintenance obligations related to the solar energy device may be sold or transferred to a third party;
(9) Include a disclosure, the receipt of which shall be separately acknowledged by the buyer or lessee, if the agreement contains any restrictions on the buyer's or lessee's ability to modify or transfer ownership of the solar energy device, including whether any modification or transfer of ownership is subject to review or approval by a third party; and if modification or transfer of ownership is subject to review or approval by a third party, then the agreement shall:
(A) Identify the name, address, and telephone number of the third party; and
(B) Provide for updating any change in the third party responsible for reviewing or approving the modification or transfer of ownership;
(10) Provide a full and accurate summary of the total costs under the agreement for maintaining and operating the solar energy device over the life of the device, including financing, maintenance, and construction costs related to the device;
(11) If the agreement contains an estimate of the buyer's or lessee's future utility charges based on projected utility rates after the installation of the solar energy device, then provide an estimate of the buyer's or lessee's estimated utility charges during the same period as impacted by potential utility rate changes ranging from at least a five per cent annual decrease to at least a five per cent annual increase from current utility costs; and
(12) Include a disclosure, the receipt of which shall be separately acknowledged by the buyer or lessee, that states: "Utility rates and utility rate structures are subject to change. These changes cannot be accurately predicted. Projected savings from your solar energy device are therefore subject to change. Tax incentives are subject to change or termination by executive, legislative, or regulatory action."
(b) Any agreement governing the financing, sale, or lease of a solar energy device that contains blank spaces affecting the timing, value, or obligations of the agreement in a material manner when signed by the buyer or lessee is void at the option of the buyer or lessee until the solar energy device is installed.
(c) Before the maintenance or warranty obligations of a solar energy device under an existing lease, financing, or purchase agreement are transferred, the person who is currently obligated to maintain or warrant the solar energy device shall disclose the name, address, and telephone number of the person who will be assuming the maintenance or warranty of the solar energy device.
(d) If the seller's or marketer's marketing materials contain an estimate of the buyer's or lessee's future utility charges based on projected utility rates after the installation of a solar energy device, the marketing materials shall contain an estimate of the buyer's or lessee's estimated utility charges during the same period as impacted by potential utility rate changes ranging from at least a five per cent annual decrease to at least a five per cent annual increase from current utility costs.
(e) This section does not apply to any person or company, acting through its officers, employees, or agents, that markets, sells, solicits, negotiates, or enters into an agreement for the sale, financing, or lease of a solar energy device as part of a transaction that involves the sale or transfer of the real property to which the solar energy device is or will be affixed.
(f) For the purposes of this section, "solar energy device" shall have the same meaning as in section 196-7."
SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
|
INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
|
|
|
Report Title:
Solar Energy Devices; Financing, Lease, or Sale Agreement; Requirements
Description:
Establishes requirements for financing, lease, or sale agreements for solar energy devices, including the buyer's or lessee's signature, a cancellation period, payment or financing details, disclosure of tax obligations, disclosure of maintenance and operation costs, disclosure of warranty obligations, and disclosure of the potential for variation in utility rates. Does not apply to agreements for financing, lease, or sale agreements for solar energy devices as part of sales or transfers of real property to which the devices are or will be affixed.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
