STAND. COM. REP. NO. 149

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 1999

                                 RE: H.B. No. 813
                                     




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was
referred H.B. No. 813 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITY BILLING
     PROCEDURES FOR BLIND OR VISUALLY-IMPAIRED CUSTOMERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to assist persons with
disabilities by requiring public or private providers of sewer,
water, electric, gas, telephone, or cable utility services, upon
a blind or visually-impaired customer's request, to provide
billing in braille, large print, or audio format, at no
additional charge to the consumer.

     The Hawaii Center for Independent Living submitted testimony
in support of this measure.

     Your Committee finds that this measure brings Hawaii into
compliance with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act,
which is referred to in the law as an "alternative format".

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Human Services and Housing that is attached to this
report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose
of H.B. No. 813 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be
referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.


 
 
 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 149
                                 Page 2

 
                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Human Services
                                   and Housing,



                                   ______________________________
                                   DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair