STAND. COM. REP. NO. 778

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  S.B. No. 656
                                        S.D. 2




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B.
No. 656, S.D. 1, entitled: 

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to establish a citizen's
advisory committee to review the activities of the Public
Utilities Commission and the public utilities, advise the
consumer advocate, and ensure public participation in the
process.

     This measure provides a structured opportunity for the
public to participate in the process that governs the public
utilities.  Establishing a citizen's advisory committee to ensure
public participation in public utilities activities is important
because it is the consumers of the public utilities that are
affected by the decisions made.

     Your Committee finds that establishing a citizen's advisory
committee is an effective way to promote public participation in
the regulation of public utilities.


 
a                                                     SB656 SD2
 
 
 
 
 
                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 778
                                   Page 2


     Your Committee has amended this bill to require that the
citizen's advisory committee have representation from each county
in the State, and by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments.

     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 S.B. No.
656, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third
Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 656, S.D. 2.

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



                                 ________________________________
                                 CAROL FUKUNAGA, Co-Chair



                                 ________________________________
                                 ANDREW LEVIN, Co-Chair

 
a                                                     SB656 SD2