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REPORT OF THE POLICY <br />COMMITTEE ON PLANNING, <br />LAND USE, AND DEVELOPMENT <br />DATE: September 19, 2023 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br />TIME: 11:20 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 435/Bill No. 66 <br />Your Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Development, to which was referred Bill No. 66, <br />reports as follows: <br />Bill No. 66, transmitted by Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder via Communication <br />No. 435, dated August 25, 2023, amends Chapter 5, Article 4, Section 5-4-3, of the Hawaii County <br />Code 1983 (2016 Edition, As Amended), relating to Installation of Photovoltaic Systems. <br />The measure amends Subsection (f) by requiring a professional electrical engineer licensed in the <br />State of Hawaii to prepare, design, and stamp electrical design drawings and specifications for <br />residential photovoltaic systems if the system exceeds 30 kilowatts. <br />Deputy Building Chief Kelly Wilson and Supervising Electrical Inspector Gary Kaho`ohanohano <br />from the Department of Public Works Building Division were available in the Hilo Chambers for <br />questions. Director of Public Works Stephen Pause was available via Zoom for questions. <br />Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder shared that while the bill proposed language on <br />requiring no engineering stamp for a 30 -kilowatt capacity, he would amend it down to 10 -kilowatts, <br />if necessary. Director Pause and Mr. Kaho`ohanohano supported decreasing to 10 -kilowatts as that is <br />the general capacity of residential systems. <br />Committee Member Sue Lee Loy and Mr. Wilson discussed Hawaii County's alignment with other <br />counties and its operational differences. Mr. Wilson noted that Hawaii County handles inspections <br />and permitting in-house, while other counties do not. Ms. Lee Loy raised concerns about alignment <br />feasibility, safety standards, and legislating for industry gains and profiteering. <br />Committee Member Cindy Evans agreed with Ms. Lee Loy's safety concerns, expressing the bill <br />was not ready to move to Council, and that she would like more discussion on PV (Photovoltaic) <br />systems to inform more holistic code updates. <br />Bill 66 was amended with the contents of Communication 435.1 and introduced by <br />Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, replacing "30" kilowatts to "10" kilowatts based on Public Works <br />and Building Division's comments. The amendment passed with 8 "ayes," and absent, Committee <br />Member Jennifer Kagiwada. <br />PCPLUD Report No. 4 <br />