HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

102

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the public utilities commission to study the feasibility of requiring public utilities to charge lower utility rates to lower-income consumers.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, lower-income individuals may be eligible to receive public assistance in areas such as medical care, food, and rental housing; and

 

     WHEREAS, there does not appear to be any state programs for lower-income individuals to receive public assistance for public utility services such as electricity and gas; and

 

     WHEREAS, utility bills can amount to a significant monthly expense for consumers; and

 

     WHEREAS, public assistance for utility services may assist in breaking the cycle of poverty for many lower-income consumers; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2016, the Senate concurring, that the Public Utilities Commission is requested to study the feasibility of requiring public utilities to charge lower utility rates to lower-income consumers; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Public Utilities Commission is requested to:

 

     (1)  Consider the possibility of tying the lower utility rates to income guidelines used in the Med-QUEST program or any other government program that assists lower-income individuals;

 

     (2)  Capping any lower utility rate to twenty per cent of the full price paid by a regular consumer per kilowatt hour; and

 

     (3)  Requiring the lower utility rates to apply only to those public utilities that are within the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Public Utilities Commission is requested to submit its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2018; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

PUC; Study