HB 1307: DHHL; Hawaiian Home Lands; Geothermal Revolving Fund; Geothermal Resources; Appropriation
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: House
- Latest Version Date: 2026-03-27
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-03-30: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill creates a Geothermal Revolving Fund at the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to make loans for drilling water wells and doing geophysical work to investigate, explore, and identify geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands. The fund may receive state appropriations, private contributions, loan repayments, and other money, and up to 5% of outstanding loans may be used for administration. Loan repayment must begin five years after well development starts and be paid off within five years, and the bill provides $6,000,000 from the state to start the fund.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Establishes the Geothermal Revolving Fund for loans for water well development for geophysical investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
Appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for water well development for geophysical investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for water well development for geophysical investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for water well development for geophysical investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1307 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
H.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Act 205, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, provided funds to the department of Hawaiian home lands to begin an investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands to be used for the generation, transmission, or production of electricity and renewable energy resources. Geothermal resources can provide stable power, community benefits, and an alternative to biofuels. The legislature further finds that the department of Hawaiian home lands requires more funding to allow the department to drill slim holes at certain sites on Hawaiian home lands, develop water wells, collect geophysical data, and hire consultants to help the department navigate the intricacies of geothermal development.
The purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for the geothermal revolving fund to provide loans for water well development for geophysical investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.
SECTION 2. Chapter 182, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§182- Geothermal revolving fund; loans; repayment. (a) There is established the geothermal revolving fund for the purpose of providing loans for water well development for geophysical investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands. Appropriations made by the legislature, private contributions, repayment of loans, including interest and payments received on account of principal, and moneys from other sources shall be deposited into the revolving fund and shall be expended by the department of Hawaiian home lands. An amount from the revolving fund not exceeding five per cent of the total amount of outstanding loans may be used by the department of Hawaiian home lands for administrative expenses incurred in administering the revolving fund.
(b) Repayment of loans from the geothermal revolving fund shall commence five years after water well development operations begin and the balance of the loan shall be paid in full within five years after repayments have commenced."
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $6,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to be deposited into the geothermal revolving fund.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
DHHL; Hawaiian Home Lands; Geothermal Revolving Fund; Geothermal Resources; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes the Geothermal Revolving Fund for loans for water well development for geophysical investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1307 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
H.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Act 205, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, provided funds to the department of Hawaiian home lands to begin an investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands to be used for the generation, transmission, or production of electricity and renewable energy resources. Geothermal resources can provide stable power, community benefits, and an alternative to biofuels. The legislature further finds that the department of Hawaiian home lands requires more funding to allow the department to drill slim holes at certain sites on Hawaiian home lands, develop water wells, collect geophysical data, and hire consultants to help the department navigate the intricacies of geothermal development.
The purpose of this Act is to provide follow-up funding for the next steps in the investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.
SECTION 2. 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 2025-2026 to fund water well development for geophysical investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of Hawaiian home lands for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
DHHL; Hawaiian Home Lands; Geothermal Resources; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for water well development for geophysical investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1307 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Act 205, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, provided funds to the department of Hawaiian home lands to begin an investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands to be used for the generation, transmission, or production of electricity and renewable energy resources. Geothermal resources can provide stable power, community benefits, and an alternative to biofuels. The legislature further finds that the department of Hawaiian home lands requires more funding to allow the department to drill slim holes at certain sites on Hawaiian home lands, develop water wells, collect geophysical data, and hire consultants to help the department navigate the intricacies of geothermal development.
The purpose of this Act is to provide follow-up funding for the next steps in the investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.
SECTION 2. 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 2025-2026 to fund water well development for geophysical investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of Hawaiian home lands for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
DHHL; Hawaiian Home Lands; Geothermal Resources; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for water well development for geophysical investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1307 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the department of hawaiian home lands.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Act 205, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, provided funds to the department of Hawaiian home lands to begin an investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands to be used for the generation, transmission, or production of electricity and renewable energy resources. Geothermal resources can provide stable power, community benefits, and an alternative to biofuels. The legislature further finds that the department of Hawaiian home lands requires more funding to allow the department to drill slim holes at certain sites on Hawaiian home lands, develop water wells, collect geophysical data, and hire consultants to help the department navigate the intricacies of geothermal development.
The purpose of this Act is to provide follow-up funding for the next steps in the investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $20,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 to fund water well development for geophysical investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of Hawaiian home lands for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
DHHL; Hawaiian Home Lands; Geothermal Resources; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for water well development for geophysical investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Mar 30, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Mar 30, 2026 | Reported from HWN/EIG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3374) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Mar 24, 2026 | The committee(s) on HWN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HWN were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Richards, Lamosao; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) DeCorte; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Ihara, Keohokalole. |
| Mar 24, 2026 | The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EIG were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang, DeCoite, Richards, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Mar 19, 2026 | The committee(s) on HWN/EIG has scheduled a public hearing on 03-24-26 1:10PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference. |
| Dec 8, 2025 | Carried over to 2026 Regular Session. |
| Mar 4, 2025 | Referred to HWN/EIG, WAM. |
| Feb 28, 2025 | Passed First Reading. |
| Feb 28, 2025 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 76). |
| Feb 27, 2025 | Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Amato, Belatti, Grandinetti, Hussey, Kapela, Perruso, Souza voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Iwamoto, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Poepoe, Reyes Oda, Shimizu voting no (8) and Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick, Templo, Ward excused (4). Transmitted to Senate. |
| Feb 27, 2025 | Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 891), recommending passage on Third Reading. |
| Feb 20, 2025 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 13 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Reyes Oda; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Alcos, Ward. |
| Feb 18, 2025 | Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Thursday, 02-20-25 12:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Feb 14, 2025 | Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Perruso voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Reyes Oda, Shimizu voting no (7) and Representative(s) Cochran, Matayoshi, Poepoe, Ward excused (4). |
| Feb 14, 2025 | Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 721) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to FIN. |
| Feb 11, 2025 | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Kahaloa, Takayama, Todd; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Perruso, Shimizu; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran, Hashem. |
| Feb 7, 2025 | Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 02-11-25 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Feb 6, 2025 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Ward excused (1). |
| Feb 6, 2025 | Reported from EEP (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 227) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA. |
| Feb 4, 2025 | The committee on EEP recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Lowen, Perruso, Kahaloa, Kusch, Quinlan; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ward. |
| Jan 28, 2025 | Bill scheduled to be heard by EEP on Tuesday, 02-04-25 9:00AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Jan 27, 2025 | Referred to EEP, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 4 |
| Jan 23, 2025 | Introduced and Pass First Reading. |
| Jan 22, 2025 | Pending introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Mar 24, 2026 | The committee(s) on HWN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Hawaiian Affairs |
Passed |
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| Mar 24, 2026 | The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs |
Passed |
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| Feb 27, 2025 | Third Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Feb 20, 2025 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | House Standing Committee on Finance |
Passed |
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| Feb 11, 2025 | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs |
Passed |
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| Feb 4, 2025 | The committee on EEP recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| Association of Hawaiians for Homestead Lands (AHHL) | *** Support | Mar 24, 2026 |
| Chamber of Sustainable Commerce | *** Against | Feb 13, 2025 |
| Department of Hawaiian Home Lands | *** Support | Mar 24, 2026 |
| Geothermal Neighbors | *** Against | Mar 24, 2026 |
| Green Party of Hawai’i | *** Against | Mar 24, 2026 |
| Hawaiian Electric | ** Support | |
| Hawaiian Homes Commission | *** Support | Feb 20, 2025 |
| Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce | ** Support | |
| Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii | ** Support | |
| Malu 'Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action | *** Against | Mar 24, 2026 |
| Mokupuni Community Development Corporation (MCDC) | *** Support | Mar 24, 2026 |
| Na Wai Ho'ola Nui La'au Lapa'au | *** Against | Mar 24, 2026 |
| Royal House of Hawaiʻi | *** Against | Feb 13, 2025 |
| Royal Order of the Crown of Hawaiʻi | *** Against | Feb 13, 2025 |
| Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations (SCHHA) | *** Support | Mar 24, 2026 |
| Sustainable Energy Hawaiʻi | ** Support | |
| Sustainable Energy Hawaii | *** Support | Mar 24, 2026 |
| Truth for the People | *** Against | Mar 24, 2026 |
| Ulupono Initiative | ** Support |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 891
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.B. No. 1307
H.D. 2
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1307, H.D. 2, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Hawaiian Electric; Sustainable Energy Hawaiʻi; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce; Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii; and eight individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from five individuals.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1307, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,
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____________________________ KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 721
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.B. No. 1307
H.D. 2
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1307, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Ulupono Initiative; Sustainable Energy Hawaiʻi; Hawaiian Electric; and four individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Malu ʻAina; Chamber of Sustainable Commerce; and numerous individuals.
Your Committee finds that Act 205, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022 (Act 205), provided start-up funding for the investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands. This measure would continue the progress made by Act 205 by appropriating funds for geophysical data and hiring consultants to assist the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to navigate the intricacies of geothermal development.
Your Committee has amended this measure by making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1307, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1307, H.D. 2.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,
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____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 227
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.B. No. 1307
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1307 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Hawaiian Electric; Sustainable Energy Hawaiʻi; Ulupono Initiative; and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.
Your Committee finds that geothermal resources can provide a stable alternative to biofuels. Your Committee further finds that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has been provided funding for the investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands. However, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands requires additional funding for water well development at certain sites for further exploration of geothermal resources. This measure appropriates follow-up funding for this purpose.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and
(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.
Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $20,000,000.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1307, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1307, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,
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____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Mar 24, 2026 | HB1307_HD2_TESTIMONY_HWN-EIG_03-24-26_.PDF |
| Feb 20, 2025 | HB1307_HD2_TESTIMONY_FIN_02-20-25_.PDF |
| Feb 13, 2025 | HB1307_HD1_TESTIMONY_JHA_02-11-25_.PDF |
| Feb 4, 2025 | HB1307_TESTIMONY_EEP_02-04-25_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
11MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment
11MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Hawaiian Affairs
11MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
11MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts
22MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment
22MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Hawaiian Affairs
22MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
22MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts
Bill Author
