UPDATE: Bill 120 was passed unanimously by the Hawaii County Council on September 7!

Bill 120, a Hawaii County EV bill that will allow for enforcement of HRS 291-71 and 291-72. It will help increase the number of public EV charging stations across Hawaii Island. The bill is being heard again by the County Council on September 7, at 9 AM HST. Public testimony (oral and written) will be accepted. This is the FINAL hearing. Please send your message of support, even if you’ve done so previously. Every message counts.

You can help us get Bill 120 passed

Public support of this bill is important and will help encourage passage. You can help by providing testimony in support of the measure. This can be as simple as a brief email requesting the County Council to support this bill. Of course, you can also testify verbally. The options are listed below. 

Written Public Testimony

The deadline for submission of written public testimony is before 12:00 noon on Tuesday, September 6. Send an email to counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov. Indicate “Support for Bill 120” or “Please pass Bill 120”. A personal story that illustrates the importance of public charging will be helpful. 

Remote via Zoom

To provide oral testimony via Zoom, please email councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov or call (808) 961-8255 to complete the registration process and obtain meeting login information. Send your request before 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6. 

In-Person Testimony

In-person testimony is also accepted at Council Chambers – Suite 1401, County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo. Participation is also available via videoconference at the following courtesy sites:

• Council Chambers – Building A, West Hawai‘i Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Kailua-Kona
• Pahoa District 4 Council Office, 15-2879 Pāhoa Village Road, Pahoa
• Waimea District 9 Council Office, Parker Square, 65-1279 Kawaihae Road, Suite 109, Waimea

What is Bill 120?

Bill 120 will enforce the state law that calls for EV chargers to be installed on large parking structures, for the stations to be maintained, and for enforcement of rules related to parking in the designated stalls. When passed, it will increase the number of reliable charging stations around our island. This will allow for more equitable access to clean transportation. To view the latest draft of the bill, go here.

Public EV Charging Talking Points

The following points help address questions raised about the need for public EV charging stations:

• Adequate, reliable public charging allows a broader and more equitable adoption of electric vehicles. Many residents live in condos, apartments, and rental homes that make it difficult or impossible to install a home charging station. They will rely on public charging stations to ‘fuel’ their cars.
• EV owners with long commutes rely on public chargers to top off. 
• Good public EV charging will be required to expand our EV rental fleet. Visitors require a good public charging network to rent EVs.
• Public EV chargers offer businesses a host of economic and brand benefits.
  • Increased revenue from EV owner traffic and customers that will tend to linger
  • Revenue from customer charging
  • Corporate/business branding as being environmentally conscious
  • Employee and customer perks
• Financial incentives – Tax credits and the Hawaii Energy Commercial EV Charging Rebate offset the cost of acquiring and installing stations. The pending HECO EV Charger Make Ready may also help offset costs.