SB 151: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

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 geothermal resources can provide stable power and community benefits and are a viable alternative to biofuels.  Act 205, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, appropriated $500,000 to the department of Hawaiian home lands as start-up funding for the exploration of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands, so that these resources could potentially be used for the generation, transmission, and production of electricity and renewable energy resources, including but not limited to hydrogen generation.

     The legislature recognizes that additional moneys are needed for the department of Hawaiian home lands to continue its efforts in collecting geothermal resources data.  Appropriating follow-up funding will allow the department of Hawaiian home lands to drill slim holes at certain sites on Hawaiian home lands, develop water wells, collect geophysical data, and hire consultants to help navigate the intricacies of geothermal development.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Establish a permitted interaction group to study, evaluate, and recommend strategies related to geothermal exploration, feasibility, extraction, and use on Hawaiian home lands; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds for the continued investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.

     SECTION 2.  The department of Hawaiian home lands shall establish a permitted interaction group to study, evaluate, and recommend strategies related to geothermal exploration, feasibility, extraction, and use on Hawaiian home lands.

     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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to drill slim holes, develop water wells, and continue geophysical data collection, investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of Hawaiian home lands for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  The department of Hawaiian home lands is authorized to utilize the funds appropriated in section 2 of this Act to hire consultants to assist the department in its geothermal development activities.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 31, 2050.

Report Title:

DHHL; Geothermal Resources; Permitted Interaction Group; Appropriations

Description:

Establishes a permitted interaction group within the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.  Appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to continue geophysical data collection, investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.  Authorizes DHHL to hire consultants.  Effective 7/31/2050.  (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

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 geothermal resources can provide stable power and community benefits and are a viable alternative to biofuels.  Act 205, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, appropriated $500,000 to the department of Hawaiian home lands as start-up funding for the exploration of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands, so that these resources could potentially be used for the generation, transmission, and production of electricity and renewable energy resources, including but not limited to hydrogen generation.

     The legislature recognizes that additional moneys are needed for the department of Hawaiian home lands to continue its efforts in collecting geothermal resources data.  Appropriating follow-up funding will allow the department of Hawaiian home lands to drill slim holes at certain sites on Hawaiian home lands, develop water wells, collect geophysical data, and hire consultants to help navigate the intricacies of geothermal development.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the continued 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 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to drill slim holes, develop water wells, and continue geophysical data collection, investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of Hawaiian home lands for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  The department of Hawaiian home lands is authorized to utilize the funds appropriated in section 2 of this Act to hire consultants to assist the department in its geothermal development activities.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

DHHL; Geothermal Resources; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to continue geophysical data collection, investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.  Authorizes DHHL to hire consultants.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 206

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 151

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 151 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Appropriate funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to continue geophysical data collection, investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands; and

     (2)  Authorize the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to hire consultants.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaiian Electric, Ulupono Initiative, and three individuals.

     Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     Your Committees find that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, under the governance of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, through its Geothermal Permitted Interaction Group, continues to investigate the viability of geothermal production on Hawaiian Home Lands.  The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands continuously seeks guidance from geothermal specialists to assist in its efforts to commercialize geothermal resources on Hawaiian Home Lands.  This measure will appropriate funds to continue this work and expand the use of renewable energy resources in the State.

     Your Committees note that pursuant to the discussion between your Committees and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands during the public hearing on this measure, the recommendation that a permitted interaction group be established to study, evaluate, and recommend strategies related to geothermal exploration, feasibility, extraction, and use on Hawaiian Home Lands should be adopted.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding language to establish a permitted interaction group to study, evaluate, and recommend strategies related to geothermal exploration, feasibility, extraction, and use on Hawaiian home lands;

     (2)  Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

     (3)  Inserting an effective date of July 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion;

     (4)  Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose; and

     (5)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     Your Committees note that this measure, as amended, contains an unspecified appropriation amount.  Should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committees respectfully requests that it consider inserting an appropriation amount of $20,000,000 to continue geophysical data collection, investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 151, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 151, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs,