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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND <br /> PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE <br /> DATE: September 18, 2012 Re: Comm. No. 838/Bill No. 305 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 2:03 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawai`i County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Public Works and Parks and Recreation, to which was referred Bill No. 305, <br /> reports as follows: <br /> Bill No. 305, transmitted by Public Works Director Warren H. W Lee, via Communication <br /> No. 838, amends Chapter 9, Article 5, Division 1, Section 9-33 (Plans and Specification <br /> requirements; deviations), subsection (b), by revising an existing item: "[All photovoltaic <br /> systems for residential and non residential installations shall require a building permit. Plans and <br /> registered in the State of Hawai`i. Electrical design drawings and specifications shall bear the <br /> approval of an electrical engineer registered in the State of Hawai`i.] <br /> Installation of photovoltaic systems shall require: <br /> (1) A building permit for residential and non residential installations; <br /> (2) Electrical design drawings and specifications bearing the approval of an electrical engineer <br /> registered in the State of Hawai`i for residential and non residential installations; and <br /> (3) Plans and specifications for building work bearing the approval of an architect or structural <br /> engineer registered in the State of Hawai`i for non residential installations only." <br /> Councilmember Yoshimoto informed committee members that he brought this bill forward <br /> because he had been contacted by individuals in the community that expressed concerns with the <br /> length of time the permitting process takes and with conflicting information regarding the <br /> installation of Photovoltaic (PV) Systems on residential structures since the passage of Bill 270 <br /> (the Building Code) in November of 2011. Councilmember Yoshimoto stated that it was his <br /> hope to remove the requirement of an Architect or Structural Engineer. <br /> Public testifiers in support of the bill commented that current requirements are lengthy, costly <br /> and confusing. Since the passage of Bill 270 (the building code) in November of 2011 some <br /> contractors and individuals have been confused and misinformed about the permitting process. <br /> Testifiers commented that the requirement for an Architect or Structural Engineer adds hundreds <br /> of dollars to the cost. Testifiers also commented on the fact that the form necessary for <br /> submitting PV plans in itself is flawed and confusing and requests the department make the form <br /> easier to understand and to fill out and to include all information on submittal requirements. All <br /> testifiers agreed that this bill is a step in the right direction of promulgating rules that are <br /> PWPRC Rept.No.: 123 <br />