HI HB557

Amends Hawaii's solar water heater mandate (Section 196-6.5, HRS) to tighten variance approval criteria for new single-family dwellings built after January 1, 2010.

Requires variance applications to be signed by a licensed architect or mechanical engineer who must demonstrate that solar installation is impracticable, cost-prohibitive based on a 15-year life cycle cost-benefit analysis, or that a renewable energy system is substituted as the primary water heating source.

Restricts demand water heater variances to cases where the device's life cycle cost is less than a solar water heater system and at least one other gas appliance is installed in the dwelling.

Extends the variance approval timeline from 30 to 60 working days and authorizes the coordinator to deny incomplete or insufficient applications.

Authorizes the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to adopt rules imposing fees, fines, or penalties for false attestations in variance applications, with revenues deposited into the energy security special fund.