STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1262-06

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2006

RE: S.B. No. 2018

S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2018, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to give consumers notice of a Public Utilities Commission (PUC) proceeding that may affect their rates and charges, by requiring applicants for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to provide utility services to the public, to notify any existing patrons or customers of the rates and charges proposed under the application.

The PUC, Consumer Advocate, and Kuilima Estates West Association of Apartment Owners supported this bill.

Your Committee finds that when a company originally created to provide utility services to a private entity subsequently wishes to make its services available to the public, it must first obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity at a proceeding in which PUC also establishes rates. This bill will ensure that existing consumers of the company's services who will be affected by the new rates, are able to intervene in the PUC proceeding.

 

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2018, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

 

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair