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Committee backs proposal to create state-run home energy assistance program; $5M-per-year noted
Summary
The committee voted to pass SB191 to create a state-run Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program. Supporters including Hawaiian Electric, Department of Human Services and nonprofit advocates testified that the program would help households struggling with energy costs; the committee indicated a $5 million annual amount in the committee report.
The House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce voted March 19 to pass Senate Bill 191, SD1, HD1, a measure to create a state-run Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program intended to assist households facing high energy costs.
Supporters included the Division of Consumer Advocacy and the Department of Human Services; Hawaiian Electric testified in strong support, citing Aloha United Way data that roughly one-third of Hawaii households fall into asset-limited, income-constrained categories and that utility assistance could reduce energy burden. Catholic Charities Hawaii and other social-service providers urged generous, recurring funding to prevent disconnections and housing loss. "Utilities is the next biggie," testified Betty Lou Larsen of Catholic Charities, urging significant funding.
The Public Utilities Commission clarified that a requested appropriation of $5,000,000 per year was not embedded in the bill language but had been discussed; the committee agreed to note $5,000,000 per year (total $10,000,000 over two fiscal years as discussed) in the committee report as the suggested funding level and recorded that the program should be recurring to be meaningful.
Committee members debated the program's design and pay-for questions; one member objected on principle to using general revenues for the program, calling it "wealth redistribution," but the majority adopted the chair's recommendation to pass the bill.
Ending: SB191 advances; the committee's report will include a suggested $5 million annual funding figure and the program will be carried forward for consideration by the full body and budget committees.
