Bill to Enforce Electric Vehicle Parking Minimums Advances

By Maui Now Staff

‘Fast Charge’ stations at Queen Ka`ahumanu Center, who provide four stations with spaces for electric vehicles. File photo by Wendy Osher.

A bill to impose fines for owners of parking lots who fail to provide a minimum of one electric vehicle charging station and exclusive space is advancing in the Hawaii Senate.

The bill applies to parking lots with 100 spaces or more (in its current version).

According to the current language in the proposed bill (SB2651), enforcement would begin Jan. 1, 2015, and establish fines of:

(1)  $1,000 for the first violation;

(2)  $5,000 for the second violation;

(3)  $10,000 for the third violation; and

(4)  $20,000 for the fourth violation and any subsequent violations thereafter;

Owners of parking lots shall be allowed 120 days after any violation to comply without being cited for another violation. Police will be responsible for issuing citations.

The bill was approved unanimously by the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment on Jan. 30. It moves next to the Committee on Judiciary and Labor before coming up for a third and final reading in the Senate.

At the suggestion of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the committee amended the bill with the current wording regarding the fine structure and 120-day grace period.

A variety of electric vehicle organizations and nearly a dozen individuals testified in support of the bill.

The Maui County Office of Economic Development expressed concern about the bill’s original wording, which included fines of up to $50,000, and its possible inclusion of parking lots at county beach parks.

SB2651 was introduced by Senators Mike Gabbard and Donovan Dela Cruz.