RELATING TO ENERGY ASSISTANCE.

HB2175

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2175

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to energy assistance
.

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 Hawaii residents
pay the most for electricity of any state in the nation.
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An average Hawaii electricity bill totals
$213 each month.
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The average rate of
electricity, 39.62 cents per kWh, is more than twice the national average.
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Federal programs such as the Low-Income Home
Energy Assistance Program favor heat expenses, leaving Hawaii with less
benefits than other states.
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The purpose
this Act is to implement a Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program.

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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 346, 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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"
�346-
�
��
Hawaii
home energy assistance program; established.
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(a)
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There is established within the department the Hawaii home energy
assistance program.
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The program shall
assist eligible households with payment of costs associated with meeting an eligible
household's home energy needs by providing a stipend of up to $50 per month,
not to exceed $600 per year.
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The amount
of the stipend shall correlate to the income-based eligibility determinations
established
by the department pursuant to subsection (d)
.

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(b)
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Any person who is in need of public assistance may submit an application
in a form prescribed by the department that includes, at a minimum,
documentation to prove that the person:

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(1)
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Is a resident
of the State;

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(2)
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Has an active
energy utility account in the State; and

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(3)
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Satisfies the
income limit and all other eligibility standards established by the department
pursuant to subsection (d).

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(c)
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The public utilities commission public benefits fee administrator, in
consultation with the department, shall provide information and technical
assistance about available energy efficiency programs to recipients, including
an energy audit at the request of a recipient, and assist recipients with
implementation of energy efficiency improvements in accordance with section
269-123(b).

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(d)
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The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 for purposes of
this section relating to eligibility, assistance rates, and the application
process.
"

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SECTION
3
.
�
Section
269-123, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read
as follows:

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(b)
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The public benefits
fee administrator's duties and responsibilities shall be established by the
public utilities commission by rule or order, and may include:

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(1)
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Identifying,
developing, administering, promoting, implementing, and evaluating programs,
methods, and technologies that support energy-efficiency and demand-side
management programs;

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(2)
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Encouraging
the continuance or improvement of efficiencies made in the production,
delivery, and use of energy-efficiency and demand-side management programs and
services;

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(3)
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Using
the energy-efficiency expertise and capabilities that have developed or may
develop in the State and consulting with state agency experts;

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(4)
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Promoting
program initiatives, incentives, and market strategies that address the needs
of persons facing the most significant barriers to participation;

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(5)
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Promoting
coordinated program delivery, including coordination with electric public
utilities regarding the delivery of low-income home energy assistance, other
demand-side management or energy-efficiency programs, and any utility programs;

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(6)
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Consideration
of innovative approaches to delivering demand-side management and
energy-efficiency services, including strategies to encourage third-party
financing and customer contributions to the cost of demand-side management and
energy-efficiency services;

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(7)
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Submitting,
to the public utilities commission for review and approval, a multi-year budget
and planning cycle that promotes program improvement, program stability, and
maturation of programs and delivery resources; [
and
]

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(8)
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Educating
and training appliance manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of appliances
covered under part VI of chapter 196 about the appliance efficiency standards
established under that part to improve compliance[
.
]
; and

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(9)
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Providing
information and technical assistance about available energy efficiency programs
to recipients of the Hawaii home energy assistance program, including an energy
audit if requested by the recipient, and assisting the recipients with
implementation of energy efficiency improvements.
"

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SECTION 4.
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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:

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(1)
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Establish
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�
full-time equivalent (
��
�
FTE)
position and
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full-time equivalent (
��
�
FTE)
temporary positions;

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(2)
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Make system
modifications; and

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(3)
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Contract services
as may be necessary,

for the purposes of implementing the Hawaii home
energy assistance program established pursuant to section 2 of this Act.

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The sums

appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services
for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 5.
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Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
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New statutory
material is underscored.

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SECTION 6.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DHS; PUC;
Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program; Positions; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes
the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human
Services to assist eligible households in paying their energy bills.
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Requires the Public Utilities Commission
Public Benefits Fee Administrator to provide certain information and assistance
to recipients of the program.
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Establishes positions.
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Appropriates
funds.

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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.