HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	887
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ENERGY.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that hydrogen fuel may be burned in internal combustion engines or used in fuel cells to power electric motors.  The legislature further finds that there are many benefits to using vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel instead of gasoline or other fossil fuels.  Fuel cell vehicles powered by pure hydrogen emit only heat and water, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Because hydrogen can be produced in the United States, its use can reduce Hawaii's dependence on imported foreign oil.  Depending on production methods, hydrogen fuel can be substantially less expensive than gasoline.  The State has recognized the potential benefits of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by requiring that they be given high priority in the procurement policy for all agencies that purchase or lease light-duty motor vehicles.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys to enable the State to convert its vehicle fleet to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

     SECTION 2.  The department of accounting and general services shall:

     (1)  Compile a list of all state fleet vehicles, including a listing of vehicles that are powered by gasoline or electricity, or that are hybrid vehicles;

     (2)  Determine the priority in which state fleet vehicles shall be replaced and establish a method to replace these vehicles;

     (3)  Procure new hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to upgrade state fleet vehicles in accordance with chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

     (4)  Be authorized to sell or otherwise dispose of non-hydrogen fuel cell vehicles that are replaced by hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the purchase of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to replace or upgrade existing state fleet vehicles.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  The department of accounting and general services shall submit a report of its progress in converting the State's vehicle fleet from existing vehicles to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the regular sessions of 2016, 2017, and 2018; provided that the reports shall include the:

     (1)  Number and types of vehicles in the State's fleet;

     (2)  Number of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles purchased or leased; and

     (3)  Number of vehicles disposed of or sold.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

State Fleet Vehicles; Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

 

Description:

Requires DAGS to upgrade state fleet vehicles to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.  Appropriates moneys.

 

 

 

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