THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	798
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that climate change caused by carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels poses a serious threat to the economic well-being, public health, natural resources, and environment of Hawaii.  The potential adverse impacts of climate change include more destructive storms, hotter temperatures, a reduction in the quality and supply of freshwater, a rise in sea levels resulting in the displacement of coastal businesses and residences, damage to marine ecosystems and the natural environment, and an increase in incidents of infectious diseases, asthma, and other human health-related problems.

     The State has committed to eliminating imported fuels from the electricity and ground transportation sectors, abiding by the Paris Climate Accord's goal to limit the amount of global warming to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius, and achieving net zero carbon emissions for Hawaii by 2045.  The legislature finds that meeting the State's clean energy goals and commitments necessitates the rapid transition to zero-emission vehicles that utilize local, renewable energy sources.

     Zero-emission vehicles, such as electric vehicles, play an integral role in Hawaii's clean energy future.  Electric vehicles are much less expensive to power per mile than their gasoline counterparts.  By using stored electrical energy, electric vehicles can take advantage of intermittent solar, wind, and other clean energy resources.  With the continued growth of an intelligent electricity grid, electric vehicles become an essential component to electricity load and clean energy resource balancing.  They also provide clean mobility solutions for Hawaii residents and visitors.

     The legislature further finds that transitioning the State's motor pool vehicles to zero-emission vehicles would significantly reduce carbon emissions; increase the number of zero-emission vehicles entering the secondary market, making them more affordable to more Hawaii residents; and demonstrate that Hawaii is a leader in clean energy and sustainable transportation.

     The purpose of this Act is to require that beginning January 1, 2022, all new vehicles purchased for the department of accounting and general services motor pool program shall not be powered by internal combustion engines.

     SECTION 2.  Section 26-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  The department shall:

     (1)  Preaudit and conduct after-the-fact audits of the financial accounts of all state departments to determine the legality of expenditures and the accuracy of accounts;

     (2)  Report to the governor and to each regular session of the legislature as to the finances of each department of the State;

     (3)  Administer the state risk management program;

     (4)  Establish and manage motor pools; provided that:

          (A)  Beginning January 1, 2022, all new vehicles purchased for the department of accounting and general services' motor pool program shall not be powered by internal combustion engines; and

          (B)  The comptroller may authorize an exemption for new motor pool vehicle purchases determined to be cost-prohibitive or unsuitable for the vehicle's planned purpose;

     (5)  Manage the preservation and disposal of all records of the State;

     (6)  Undertake the program of centralized engineering and office leasing services, including operation and maintenance and lease buyback processing pursuant to subsection (d) of public buildings, for departments of the State;

     (7)  Undertake the functions of the state surveyor;

     (8)  Establish accounting and internal control systems;

     (9)  Under the direction of the chief information officer, provide centralized computer information management and processing services;

    (10)  Establish a program to provide a means for public access to public information and develop an information network for state government; and

    (11)  Assume administrative responsibility for the office of information practices."

     SECTION 3.  The department of accounting and general services, in coordination with other state agencies, shall submit a plan to convert the State's motor pool fleet to zero emissions vehicles to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2022.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

 

Report Title:

Electric Vehicles; Motor Pools; New Purchases; Department of Accounting and General Services; Conversion Plan

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to purchase only zero-emission vehicles for its motor pool fleet beginning on 1/1/22.  Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services, in coordination with other state agencies, to submit a plan to convert the State's motor pool fleet to zero emissions vehicles to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2022.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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