HI SB2198

Establishes a Renewable Fuels Task Force within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study locally-produced renewable fuel usage in Hawaii.

Task force shall examine changing the 10% ethanol requirement in gasoline to allow distributors to meet the requirement through any locally-produced renewable fuels, and requiring up to 5% biofuels in diesel fuel.

Task force composition includes members selected by the senate president, house speaker, and DBEDT director, plus representatives from petroleum, automobile, airline, and renewable fuel producer organizations.

Task force must submit a preliminary report by 20 days before the 2015 legislative session and a final report by 20 days before the 2016 legislative session, then ceases to exist on August 1, 2016.

Appropriates funds from general revenues for fiscal year 2014-2015 to support the task force's work, effective July 1, 2050.