STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2881

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 2468
                                        H.D. 1
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which
was referred H.B. No. 2468, H.D. 1, 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 clarify the
responsibilities of the Consumer Advocate and the Public
Utilities Commission (PUC) regarding the receipt of and
assistance with consumer complaints and inquiries relating to
public utilities.

     Testimony on the measure was received from the Consumer
Advocate, PUC, and Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.

     This measure requires the PUC to operate as a central
clearinghouse for the receipt of consumer complaints and
inquiries regarding public utilities and requires the Consumer
Advocate to assist consumers in the handling of complaints before
the PUC.  This measure will allow for the more efficient handling
of consumer complaints by clarifying the roles of the respective
agencies. 

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this
measure to clarify that the Consumer Advocate's role is to
counsel, rather than assist utility customers with their
complaints.  This clarification more accurately reflects the

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2881
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Consumer Advocate's current responsibilities with respect to
consumer complaints involving complaint filing procedures and
guidance regarding the validity of a claim. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to
this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and
purpose of H.B. No. 2468, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and
recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached
hereto as H.B. No. 2468, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means.

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



                                   ______________________________
                                   BRIAN KANNO, Co-Chair



                                   ______________________________
                                   BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Co-Chair

 
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