STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1481

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 1005

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1005, H.D. 2, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to improve the ability of the Public Utilities Commission to improve its operations and more effectively carry out its statutory duties.

     Specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Requires the Public Utilities Commission to restructure its operations according to its December 2006, report to the Legislature;

     (2)  Appropriates funds to meet costs associated with restructuring; and

     (3)  Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to consider increased renewable energy use in exercising its authority.

     Your Committee received comments in support of this measure from the Public Utilities Commission; the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum; and Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.  The Division of Consumer Advocacy of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs submitted comments on this measure.

 

     Your Committee finds that there is a need for the Public Utilities Commission to function more effectively and efficiently to keep up with changing regulatory conditions, duties, requirements, and advances in technology. 

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, non-substantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1005, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1005, H.D. 2, S.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair