HB 2739 Summary

• Establishes the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services to provide financial assistance to eligible households for energy bill payments, weatherization, energy efficiency improvements, and energy-related home repairs.

• Creates the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program Special Fund to receive appropriations, public and private contributions, interest earnings, and other available funds to support the program.

• Directs the Public Utilities Commission Public Benefits Administrator to provide information, technical assistance, energy audits, and implementation support for energy efficiency improvements to program recipients.

• Appropriates funds for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish one full-time equivalent and two temporary full-time equivalent positions and to contract for services to implement the program.

• Amends section 269-123, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to include provision of information and technical assistance to Hawaii home energy assistance recipients as a duty of the public benefits fee administrator.