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HB1980
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1980
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to electric vehicle charging infrastructure
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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The legislature finds that the adoption of
electric vehicles in the State continues to grow at increasing rates, with
electric vehicle adoption in the State increasing by fifteen per cent between
November 2024 and November 2025.
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As the
number of electric vehicles registered in the State continues to rise, there is
a need for charging infrastructure to support this growth and ensure that there
is an equitable transition to clean transportation.
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The legislature further finds that
providing electric vehicle charging options at workplaces is beneficial for
several reasons.
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Workplace charging
provides options for people who may not be able to charge at home--typically
renters, those who live in apartments, and low- and moderate-income
families--the opportunity to participate in the savings and other benefits of
owning an electric vehicle.
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Workplace
charging also encourages daytime charging, which benefits the grid by shifting
energy use from peak evening hours to daytime hours, when energy is cheaper and
cleaner.
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Therefore, the legislature finds
that there is a need for more workplace charging and that the State should
expand workplace charging availability in state facilities.
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The purpose of this Act is to:
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(1)
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Establish a goal
of the State to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger-ready;
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(2)
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Require the design
of all new state building construction where parking is to be included to
provide that at least twenty-five per cent of parking stalls be electric
vehicle charger-ready;
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(3)
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Require the Hawaii
state energy office to conduct a survey and identify certain high-priority
state facilities that include parking to be retrofitted to include electric
vehicle charging infrastructure; and
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(4)
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Appropriate funds
to the Hawaii state energy office to assess the costs of, and install,
retrofits and electric vehicle charging systems at high-priority state
facilities.
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SECTION
2.
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Chapter 107, Hawaii Revised Statutes,
is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated
and to read as follows:
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"
�107-
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Electric vehicle charger-ready retrofits;
state goal.
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It shall be the
goal of the State to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle
charger-ready.
"
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SECTION
3.
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Section 107-21, Hawaii Revised
Statutes, is amended by adding two new definitions to be appropriately inserted
and to read as follows:
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Alternating
current Level 2 charging station" has the same meaning as in section
269-72.
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"Electric vehicle
charger-ready" means having sufficient wiring conduits, raceways, and
termination points to support a minimum of 40‑ampere, 208 or 240-volt
branch circuits, and electrical panel capacity suitable to provide Level 2
charging consistent with an alternating current Level 2 charging station.
"
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SECTION 4.
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Section 107-27, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended to read as follows:
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107-27
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Design of state buildings.
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(a)
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No later than one year after the adoption of
codes or standards pursuant to section 107-24(c), the design of all state
building construction shall be in compliance with the Hawaii state building
codes, except state building construction shall be allowed to be exempted from:
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(1)
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County codes that
have not adopted the Hawaii state building codes;
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(2)
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Any county code
amendments that are inconsistent with the minimum performance objectives of the
Hawaii state building codes or the objectives enumerated in this part; or
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(3)
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Any county code
amendments that are contrary to code amendments adopted by another county.
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(b)
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Exemptions shall include county ordinances allowing the exercise of
indigenous Hawaiian architecture adopted in accordance with section 46-1.55.
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(c)
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The State shall consider hurricane resistant criteria when designing and
constructing new public schools for the capability of providing shelter refuge.
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(d)
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Beginning July 1, 2023, where feasible and cost-effective, the design of
all new state building construction shall:
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(1)
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Maximize energy
and water efficiency measures;
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(2)
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Maximize energy
generation potential; and
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(3)
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Use building
materials that reduce the carbon footprint of the project.
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(e)
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Beginning July 1, 2027, the design of all new
state building construction where parking is to be included shall provide that
at least twenty-five per cent of parking stalls be electric vehicle
charger-ready.
"
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SECTION 5.
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(a)
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The Hawaii state energy office, in consultation with the department of
accounting and general services and department of transportation, shall survey
existing state facilities statewide that include parking and prioritize
retrofitting these state facilities in accordance with readily available
information, including location, expected future demand for charging, estimated
costs for retrofits of parking stalls, other make-ready work, other planned
improvements that would allow for electric vehicle charger-ready retrofit work
to be performed at the same time, and other factors that the Hawaii state
energy office deems relevant.
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(b)
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The Hawaii state energy office shall submit a report to the legislature
no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of
2027.
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The report shall include the
results of the survey conducted pursuant to subsection (a), identifying between
four to ten high-priority state facilities to be retrofitted to include
electric vehicle charging infrastructure and estimated costs for these
retrofits.
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SECTION 6.
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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 2026-2027 to conduct detailed cost
assessments to determine the cost to install, or contract for the installation
of, retrofits and electric vehicle charging systems at the high-priority state
facilities identified pursuant to section 5 of this Act and to perform, or
contract for, these installations; provided that the appropriation authorized
by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the
appropriation is made; provided further that all moneys from the appropriation
unencumbered as of June 30, 2028, shall lapse as of that date.
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The sum appropriated shall be
expended by the Hawaii state energy office for the purposes of this Act.
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SECTION 7.
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New statutory material is underscored.
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SECTION 8.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Electric
Vehicle Charging Infrastructure; State Buildings; Retrofitting; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes
a goal of the State to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle
charger-ready.
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Requires the design of
all new state building construction where parking is to be included to provide
that at least twenty-five per cent of parking stalls be electric vehicle
charger-ready.
�
Requires the Hawaii State
Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General
Services and Department of Transportation, to conduct a survey and identify
certain high-priority state facilities.
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Requires a report to the Legislature.
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Appropriates funds.
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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.