HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2654
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO BUILDING CODES.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that certain refrigerants, including hydrofluorocarbons, are potent greenhouse gases that can have an immense impact on global warming.  The legislature further finds that the United States Congress passed the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 that mandates an eighty-five per cent phasedown in hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants.  The legislature further finds that the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons includes restricting the use of hydrofluorocarbons in certain applications and directing the transition to hydrofluorocarbon substitutes.  This phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons is expected to reduce hydrofluorocarbon emissions by approximately 2.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2035 and avoid up to a one-half degree Celsius global temperature increase by 2100.

     The legislature further finds that building codes across the country must be updated to comply with the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act and the Environmental Protection Agency rules and regulations concerning the transition to hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant alternatives.  The building code updates will provide the certainty that the manufacturing industry needs to comply with the federal regulations and ensure that the transition to alternate refrigerants is safe and efficient.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to clarify that no state or county building code shall prohibit the use of a substitute refrigerant allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency if the applicable equipment is listed and installed in compliance with any applicable safety standards and use conditions.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 107, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§107-     Refrigerant use.  No provision of the Hawaii state building codes or any county building code shall prohibit or otherwise limit the use of a refrigerant designated as acceptable for use pursuant to title 42 United States Code section 7671k; provided that any equipment containing the refrigerant shall be listed and installed in accordance with any applicable safety standards and use conditions imposed for that equipment or refrigerant.

     §107-     Hawaii state building codes; hydrofluorocarbons; update.  When adopting, amending or updating the codes and standards identified in section 107-25, the council shall establish codes and standards that are consistent with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrofluorocarbons."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

 

 

Report Title:

State Building Codes; County Building Codes; Refrigerants; Safe Alternatives

 

Description:

Clarifies that no state or county building code shall prohibit the use of a substitute refrigerant allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency if the applicable equipment is listed and installed in compliance with the latest safety standards.  Requires the State Building Code Council, when it adopts, amends, or updates the Hawaii State Building Codes, to establish codes and standards that are consistent with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrofluorocarbons.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

 

 

 

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