HI HCR49

Requests the Public Utilities Commission and Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Division of Consumer Advocacy to establish a working group to create a Hawaii Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program for low-income households.

Working group shall include representatives from the Public Utilities Commission, Department of Human Services, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Hawaii State Energy Office, electric utilities, legislative committee chairs, and Hawaii Energy.

Addresses high electricity burden in Hawaii, where rates are nearly three times the national average, and notes that 42 percent of Hawaii households live below the ALICE (asset limited, income constrained, employed) threshold.

Cites federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds ending by September 30, 2025, creating a need for a state-level energy assistance program to prevent service disconnections for low-income households.

Requires the working group to submit findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the Legislature and Governor no later than twenty days before the 2023 Regular Session.