Bill > SB586

This bill addresses climate change mitigation by establishing mandatory transitions to zero-emission buses across Hawaii's transportation systems. Specifically, the bill requires all counties to upgrade their mass transit bus fleets to zero-emission buses (which include battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses) by January 1, 2045, and mandates that state agencies prioritize zero-emission vehicles when procuring or leasing motor vehicles. The procurement policy for vehicles will now prioritize zero-emission vehicles first, followed by plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, alternative fuel vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles. Additionally, the bill requires that beginning July 1, 2025, the state cannot enter into school bus contracts extending past January 1, 2045 unless the buses are zero-emission, and by 2045, all new school bus contracts must be for zero-emission buses. The Public Utilities Commission is also tasked with amending administrative rules to encourage motor carriers to upgrade to zero-emission buses by 2045. The legislature's motivation stems from recognizing the urgent threat of greenhouse gas emissions and sea-level rise, and aligns with the state's commitment to becoming net carbon negative by 2045. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2050, providing a long runway for transportation systems to gradually transition to zero-emission technologies.

Business and Industry, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=586&year=2025