SB 3254

THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
3254
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII
H.D. 1
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
���� SECTION 1.� The
legislature finds that community health centers are an essential component of
Hawaii's health care system, providing primary and preventive care regardless
of the person's ability to pay and serving medically underserved, low‑income,
rural, and geographically isolated communities.�
Rising energy costs and increasing risks of power disruptions threaten
the ability of nonprofit community health centers to sustain operations and
deliver critical services, particularly during disasters and emergencies.
���� The legislature further finds that
solar-powered microgrids with energy storage provide a reliable and
cost-effective solution to ensure continuity of health care services during
grid outages, reduce long-term operating costs, and strengthen community resilience.� The Hawaii Primary Care Association has
demonstrated capacity to steward public funds and coordinate multi-site
initiatives that strengthen the sustainability of community health centers
statewide.� In partnership with
mission-driven clean energy partners, the association proposes to deploy
resilient energy systems at community health centers located in medically
underserved communities across multiple islands.
���� The legislature further finds that the
proposed projects leverage substantial private, philanthropic, and
incentive-based funding, but require limited state support to close a remaining
financing gap.� Without timely state
investment, participating health centers risk losing access to federal tax
credits and other incentives, jeopardizing project viability and the
opportunity to achieve long-term cost savings that can be reinvested into
patient care and essential services.
���� Accordingly, the legislature finds that
providing a grant pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to support
this initiative serves a valid public purpose by preserving access to essential
health services, protecting vulnerable populations, and strengthening statewide
disaster readiness and energy resilience.
���� SECTION 2.� There is appropriated out of the general
revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$  or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 as a grant pursuant to
chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the Hawaii Primary Care Association
to support the development and deployment of solar-plus-storage microgrids at
nonprofit community health centers located in medically underserved communities
across the State, including:
���� (1)� Hawaii
Island Community Health Center, Hilo facilities;
���� (2)� Hawaii
Island Community Health Center, Kau Family Health and Dental;
���� (3)� Hawaii
Island Community Health Center, Keaau Family Health and Dental;
���� (4)� Hana
Health;
���� (5)� Molokai
Ohana Health Care, Inc., Molokai Community Health Center;
���� (6)� Waimanalo
Health Center, Hale Ola Akahi;
���� (7)� Waimanalo
Health Center, Hale Ola Alua; and
���� (8)� The
Wahiawa Center for Community Health.
���� The
grant shall be used to close financing gaps for eligible projects, leverage
private and incentive-based funding, and advance energy resilience, continuity
of health care services during emergencies, and long-term operating cost
reductions for participating community health centers.
���� The
sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes
of this Act.
���� SECTION 3.� There is appropriated out of the general
revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$  or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 as a grant pursuant to
chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the Hawaii Primary Care Association
to provide programmatic services, project management, contract management,
reporting and fiscal stewardship responsibilities, and developing future
scalable plans for the development and deployment of solar‑plus‑storage
microgrids at nonprofit community health centers located in medically
underserved communities across the State.
���� The
sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes
of this Act.
���� SECTION 4.�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
DOH;
Grant; HPHA; Solar-Plus-Storage Microgrids; Community Health Centers; Medically
Underserved Communities; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates
funds to be expended by the Department of Health as a grant for the Hawaii
Primary Care Association to support solar-plus-storage microgrid implementation
at community health centers in medically underserved communities, and provide
programmatic services, project management, contract management, reporting and
fiscal stewardship responsibilities, and developing future scalable plans for
the development and deployment of solar-plus-storage microgrids at nonprofit
community health centers.� Effective 7/1/3000.� (HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.