THE SENATE
                 THE TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE
                  REGULAR SESSION OF 2000

       COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
               Senator Brian Kanno, Co-Chair
             Senator Brian Taniguchi, Co-Chair

                  COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
             Senator Avery Chumbley, Co-Chair
             Senator Matt Matsunaga, Co-Chair


                  NOTICE OF JOINT HEARING

               DATE:     Tuesday, February 15, 2000

               TIME:     8:30 a.m.

               PLACE:    Conference Room 016
                         State Capitol
                         415 South Beretania Street


                              A G E N D A

SB 3179  RELATING TO TOBACCO                             CPN/JDC, WAM
        Prohibits the importation, distribution, and sale of cigarettes
        intended for export or use outside the United States.
        (MIZUGUCHI (BR))

SB 3176  RELATING TO INSURANCE                           CPN/JDC, WAM
        Amends the statutes relating to insurance coverage, health
        maintenance organizations, and mutual benefit societies; adds a
        new section relating to the public employees health fund.
        (MATSUNAGA / CHUMBLEY)

SB 2186  RELATING TO INSURANCE                               CPN, WAM
        Defines independant bill reviewer (IBR) for insurance purposes;
        requires licensing of IBRs; levies an IBR license fee of $80
        and $60 a year for services provided by DCCA.  Prohibits IBRs
        from being paid on a contingency fee basis.  Establishes and
        appropriates funds to regulate independant bill reviewers.
        (KANNO; Taniguchi)

SB 2813  RELATING TO INSURANCE                               CPN, WAM
        Defines a stock insurer.  Specifies that an appointment is
        required from the insurer whose policies are being solicited,
        applications taken for, or sold.  Mandates noticed of
        cancellation and nonrenewal for insurance policies.  (MIZUGUCHI
        (BR))


 


 
SB 2828  RELATING TO FINANCING THE HAWAII HURRICANE          CPN, WAM
        RELIEF FUND
        Allows the use of revenue bonds to finance claims made under
        insurance policies of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund.
        (MIZUGUCHI (BR))


SB 2417  RELATING TO CONSUMER COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONS       CPN, WAM
        Exempts consumer cooperative associations from certain taxes.
        Makes the same laws and fees applicable to both stock and
        nonstock consumer cooperative associations.  Shortens the
        filing period and requires specific information to be included
        in an association's annual report. (IHARA / FUKUNAGA / CHUN
        OAKLAND/ CHUMBLEY)

SB 2945  RELATING TO TAXATION.                               CPN, WAM
        Clarifies the law for the GET exported services exemption and
        pyramiding relief.  Provides GET pyramiding relief on the sale
        of amusements.  Proposes a 1/2% PSC tax rate for a PSC taxpayer
        on the sale of telecommunications and transportation services.
        Imposes the use tax on imported contracting.  (MIZUGUCHI (BR))

SB 2807  RELATING TO ESCROW DEPOSITORIES.                    CPN, WAM
        Recognizes the confidentiality of portions of escrow depository
        company applications and records.  Revises procedures to
        voluntarily terminate escrow depository operations.  Allows the
        Commissioner of Financial Institutions to establish new fees by
        rule and to waive fees for good cause.  (MIZUGUCHI (BR))

SB 2808  RELATING TO THE CONSUMER ADVOCATE.                  CPN, WAM
        Allows the division of consumer advocacy to retain legal
        counsel.
        (MIZUGUCHI (BR))

SB 2419  RELATING TO CAPITAL ACCESS PROGRAM                  CPN, WAM
        Establishes a capital access program in the Department of
        Commerce and Consumer Affairs. (IHARA / FUKUNAGA / CHUN OAKLAND
        / CHUMBLEY)

SB 2128  RELATING TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE RENTAL INDUSTRY       CPN, WAM
        Adds a definition to the motor vehicle rental industry law for
        "damage to the rental motor vehicle or damage to the vehicle".
        (BUNDA)

SB 2437  RELATING TO ANTITRUST                               CPN, JDC
        Clarifies that a private person may bring an unfair competition
        action. 
        (MATSUNAGA / CHUMBLEY)


            DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW, IF TIME PERMITS.


 
Persons wishing to testify should submit 45 copies of their testimony to
the committee clerk, Room 202, State Capitol, 24 hours prior to the
hearing. Testimony may also be faxed if less than 5 pages in length, to
the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659 (toll
free for neighbor islands), at least 24 hours prior to the hearing.  When
faxing, please indicate to whom the testimony is being submitted, the date
and time of the hearing, and the required number of copies needed for
submittal.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids or services to
participate in the public hearing process (i.e., sign language
interpreter, wheelchair accessibility, or parking designated for the
disabled), please contact the committee clerk 24 hours prior to the
hearing so arrangements can be made.

Public Folder.  A folder labeled "Public Folder" containing the measures
and testimonies for the hearing will be available for shared use by
members of the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT 586-6830.






____________________________________    ____________________________________
Senator Brian Kanno                     Senator Avery Chumbley
Co-Chair                                Co-Chair





____________________________________    ___________________________________
Senator Brian Taniguchi                 Senator Matt Matsunaga
Co-Chair                                Co-Chair