Are you going to mandate them? You're going to ban? Or are you going to give sort of that market-based nudge or whatever, that incentive? Not saying you cannot buy your expensive gas car. If you want that, certainly it's possible. But, you know, for more expensive options, why don't you help lower-income people save money on gas? Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank Thanks, Isaac. Okay, IT, thanks. Okay. Okay, IT, we have several on Zoom. I'm going to hurry this up. Is um uh let's see. Is Charlotte Maiden there on on Zoom? Aloha. Hello. Aloha chair, vice chair, and members of the committee. My My name is Charlotte Maiden. I live in Kailua, and I'm a junior at University Laboratory School. I am testifying in strong support of HB 2030 HD2, which establishes Hawaii's Clean Vehicle Rebate Program. Transportation is the largest source of pollution in Hawaii, accounting for more than half of our statewide emissions.
So if anybody has questions, we're always willing to help in that as well. And then I don't know if they had any other updates. >> Exactly. >> Absolutely. Um there is a tomorrow is the um Senate meeting there's a specific bill that is direct. Essentially what it does is it's like a reactive school responsible for implementing the policy and also usually it in terms of what safety procedures would look And I think it also brings to the like there are certain protocols and um that are kept private or you know have the public view that this would then change that and really additionally um it just takes a lot of there's also some big parts of this as far as you know it makes it makes the risk of us violating policy the way it's pretty vague. So policy as I hire and therefore liable or potentially liable for being um it is something that has bipartisan support because it is sponsored by a democra and it um passed it well it passed out of it did pass on party lines at the house but there is there is the potential support is what I'm trying to get on.
>> Listen, Mercedes. So, um as far as the the funds that the the school get for the for for that program, what what much money are we looking to to lose, like if we no longer accept if we're no longer under SC or whatever that is. We get some funds from some government. What What is the amount we get? How much money are we talking about that would be cutting off? >> Oh, from the EEC program. So, because we're under EEC right now, and we we have a full daycare, we get $2,800 per month. Okay. Thank you. Before you make a motion, we got a couple more questions. I know you wanted to make them. No, no, no. It was just Um it was a motion by if we were to approve this program, when would it start? Like if we were to approve this proposal, when would it start?
And our state sends spends billions each year importing gasoline and diesel, hurting our local economy and contributing to climate change and public health harms. This bill creates a revenue-neutral rebate program to lower the upfront costs of new and used electric vehicles for Hawaii residents, leaving more of our community Charlotte Maiden, can you kind of summarize because I need to cut the We got three more waiting at Zoom in, and time is not in our favor today. Okay. But, we appreciate We appreciate your testimony. Okay. Um this bill ensures that working families, not just the wealthy, can enjoy the financial and health benefits of EVs. Okay. Thank you. >> you. Bye. Yeah, I thank you very much. Um all right. Noel Morin. If you can summarize, we're going to cut back the 1 minute to at least a half a minute, but >> Yes. Can you hear me okay?
And so basically anything this session if if the governor believes that there's any basically any Democrats in support of this even you could think that that's probably soap sign as opposed to contact um your state senator It's something where they interfate for us to abide by. So just something I wanted to point out again probably. >> Yeah. And the only other I'm sorry and the only other bill that I forgot to mention was HP432 which had to do with first things first funding that automatic that is directly impacts our family resource center. That bill basically died. It did not come back as a striker. So we're still in this loophole of receiving funds for the state agency supports not only their family resource center but many throughout the state of Arizona. So, if any of you guys have capacity of contacting your legislators or even talking to your local um elected officials of the importance of funding early childhood in Arizona, I think that would be great as well to keep the momentum and the conversations going on stabilizing that specific funding that we're supporting or trying to >> you guys actually in a board meeting when I wasn't here signed on to support that um bill, but it didn't come back as a striker or anything.
>> Next year. Next year? You got two more questions. First. >> Okay. Mr. Oiler. I don't have a question. I just have a comment because again, we this is not a this is a unique program. It's not just like all other programs that we have. We are dealing with kids and babies. It's different. So, the oversee is still um needs to take more than just us everything else. Agreed. Okay, but I want to point that out because it it everything that everybody is saying it it sounds beautiful. Um and it sounds normal and this is a unique program that needs more regulation. And again, I now I don't agree that we should just go flat lightly approving this just because. If we have to let go people, I'd rather do that than something happen to one kid because we decided to say yes. I need to make that comment and I want to make sure that I say Mrs.
>> support or oppose? And if you support, we've heard many testifiers already and you may have heard them as well. So, if you can summarize, please. Yeah, can you can you see me and hear me? We can see you, yes. Thank you very much. >> Okay, yes. Aloha noa morena, I live in Hilo on the board of Hawaii EV and I've driven electric since 2011. I am a in strong support of this measure and I stand by the testimony that I've submitted. Uh Mahalo. >> Okay, thank you very much. Thanks, no. Okay, Lehua Nishiguchi. Not on Zoom, chair. Did she say not also? Not on Zoom. >> Not on Zoom. Okay, Nicholas Nishimura. Not present as well. Okay, Ron Riley. Yeah, can you hear me? Okay, yes. Yes, thank you. I I'm from Volcano Village on Hawaii Island and I just summarized What was his name?
So, it's dead. >> So, for now, >> for now, >> yeah, but for now, >> so the advocacy would still build momentum in any capacity. >> All right. Any other legislative updates? All right. And that brings us to our next item is future agenda items. Miss Quartis, the only future agenda item is that we discuss um some other revenue mechanisms for the M to include early childhood and what a discussion would look like. >> Correct. >> Yes. May May the May the fourth be with all of us that day. We will be having a study session. Um, please bring your best Star Wars attire. Thank you. Um, um, yes, we'll be having the study session now, right? >> Yeah. What's the earliest for a study session that you can do on a Monday? >> What about you, Mr. Jones? Okay. So, four o'clock would would have four o'clock study session for work.
Ferris. And and this has nothing to do with this thing that I think is Put your mic on, please, Amy. Thank you for the presentation. It has absolutely nothing to do with it. I just I'm going to make a comment. Does the superintendent immediately get defensive when I said about the communication, but I'm sitting here and I'm listening to the fact that, you know, 30 kids were hanging, quote unquote, go back in the minutes. She said we're just hanging hanging out, not doing anything. It was later that I learned that there was something happening alternatively that where they were receiving some sort of direction. So, and I am very well aware, Mr. Superintendent, that you are in charge of all this all the vocational pro- programs and everything in the school. And for me to hear that students were not productive for a period of time and we're just learning of it in April is a bit of a problem to me.
Ron, is that your name? Okay, all right, there we go. If you can summarize, please. We're we're we need to get going with making a doing our votes and we got two more bills before us. I have to hurry. Are you in support or oppose? I'm a supporter of the bill and I just like to mention the code benefits of reduced air pollution and reduced medical costs and those accrue to all Hawaii residents, especially youth in Kapuna who live close by to the pollution from our transportation corridors. Thank you. Mahalo nui. >> thank you thank you so much. Is there anyone else who has been on this list that wishes to testify? Thank you. Yes, I am. My name is Ruth Robinson. And who is this? Ruth Robinson. I live in Hilo. I'm in Chair Inouye's district. All right. Thank you. >> I bought Thank you.
>> Yeah. >> Yes. I love that. I did that on purpose, too. >> Okay. Um, okay. And then also our next board meeting would be April 21st. So don't forget about our next board meeting. >> All right. Hearing no other future agenda items, I motion we journ. >> All right. All those in favor I. Any nays?
I don't know about the rest of the committee, but it is a bit of a problem to me and you cannot deny that the communication sometimes is very muddy. And if at all, and we don't learn of stuff until it's either like fixed, glossed over, something, or it's broken, or whatever. And I was simply making that comment. I'm not adverse to this, but I am adverse to the defensiveness that I encountered. Can I just jump in? I I must have misspoke. They were not sitting back not doing anything. What I'm saying they weren't having the hands-on experience until we came collectively together to find them alternative placements so that they could get some sort of experience. So, like Mr. Levoie said, they have been learning and they've been learning a lot, but they were spending 6 hours a day doing related until we could get them these opportunities to get them out where they could experience some sort of interaction with younger children.
I bought a used electric vehicle from the Kia dealer in Hilo in 1922, I mean, 2022. >> [laughter] >> Without a subsidy because I can afford it and I want more Hawaii residents to be able to afford their own electric vehicles. I strongly support this bill because it will increase access to EVs and help meet Hawaii's climate and energy goals. And of course, as we all know, the federal government is no longer helping us with rebates for EVs. The bill's focus is on equity is especially important. Electric vehicles can significantly reduce transportation costs. The HB 2030 HD2 is a practical, balanced, and inclusive policy solution. >> Thank you. Thank you for your Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for being on on Zoom and wish you well as well. Thank you so much. Mahalo. Okay. All right. Okay. And this is who now? The Weaving [clears throat] Trust.
So, I take responsibility for that. Um they were not hanging out doing nothing. They just weren't they didn't have the hands-on experience. I should have framed it that way. Thank you. Any further questions? Mr. No, I I have to. >> get one in first? Yeah, go ahead. Okay. Uh we have our vocational director, Sylvia, Ms. Jones. Can I put you on the spot and give us your two cents? What? Thank you. You would just like my What do you think of this? Oh, I about this motion? Um I mean, I fully support Ann Marie and Lindsey. I think that they've done an exceptional job navigating um you know, learning of that in September about the uh fingerprinting absolutely was a um was a challenge, but we pivoted um as Ann Marie said and um and came up with really creative solutions to engage the students.
The Weaving Our Children's Trust. >> Okay. Um Proceed. >> I'll be quick. We are in strong support. We support Earth Justice and H-Doss amendments. Um we want to really emphasize that this is going to reduce the upfront cost, which is a main barrier for households in Hawaii to access the inherent savings of driving electric. I want to bring up one point that has not been brought up at all, which is the resilience aspect of driving EVs. With all the disasters we've been facing, one thing to note is that there's a new technology called bidirectional charging with new EVs, including Rivians, the Ford F-150 Lightning, for example, can charge a owner's home for several days in a power outage. So, there are many other benefits to EVs that have not been discussed. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. All right, we're going to end testimonies on HB 2030.
Um I think part of what Ann Marie was touching on, too, is that part throughout the year there've been um some staffing challenges that she mentioned as well. Um and this would give our students the ability to be fully engaged in the shop that we have here on site. Um so, that would give the flexibility and um and again, integrating it with into all of our programs. Um so, it would really fall under how Mr. Superintendent Levoie is uh is managing and operating all of our 21 programs. Thank you. Thank you. Sorry I put you on the spot. >> No, that's okay. Thank you. So, I think there's one more question. I have to cuz other questions were brought up, so it gave me more ideas. Um a question for you, Ann Marie. Um so, or maybe to both the superintendent and Marie. So, what is the given that we're approving this still within the school year, what is the plan for like from now until June in terms of you know, again, you're still navigating these difficulties and so like what is the plan through June or is this something that would be more effective like tomorrow or something?
Let's move on to resolutions SCR 31 and SR 27. And this is requesting DOT in coordination with DOE to evaluate, recommend improvements to the licensing, training, and workforce pipeline for school bus drivers in the state. And that's And this also is with regards to SR 27. So, SCR 31 testimony includes SR 27 as well. DOT. Okay, thank you very much. DOE. All right, any comments in support? And we also have And that goes for the um the SR 20 27 for both as well. All right, we do have testimonies in from County of Hawaii, Mayor Alameda, and Hawaii County Council Chair Inouye, City and County of Honolulu as well as Kauai County and all those that we appreciate the testimonies that we've received as well. So, we'll move along to Is there anyone else wishes to speak to SCR 31 and SR 27 here in the room?
I don't know how much time it would be from from our vote in order to start that. Because if you're encountering these issues now, it would make sense, but if you need the department to prepare from now until the next school year, then that also makes sense. I just want to I think September would be fine. We have our students our school has opened up opportunities for our students to help in in CTE classes. We have them going on clinical experiences, so they have placements for right now. Um and we're moving forward with what we've put in place just to to get to the next, you know, place where we need to be. Thank you. Thank you. I would ask at this time if anybody is interested in making a motion on this or if you want to get more information on it. Uh give me direction.
Let's proceed with SCR 147 and SR 131 I'm sorry, SCR 145 and SR 137. And this is requesting the Department of Transportation to convene a task force to evaluate whether the state should implement a demerit point system for traffic violations. And this will then um uh DOT. Okay, thanks so much. City and County of Honolulu in support and as well as Johnny Perry and Cora Yamamoto. Uh testifying in both uh both resolutions. All right, is there anyone else wishes to speak to SCR 145 and SR 137?