THE SENATE
                 THE TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE
                  REGULAR SESSION OF 2000

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

                     NOTICE OF HEARING

        DATE:    Friday, February 11, 2000
        TIME:    9:15 a.m.
        PLACE:   Conference Room 016
                 State Capitol
                 415 South Beretania Street

                        A G E N D A

SB 2200  RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION CPN, WAM
        Provides that the greater of $1,000,000, or two-thirds
        of the moneys in the public utilities commission
        special fund, shall remain in the special fund, with
        the excess lapsing into the general fund.

SB 3151  RELATING TO UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITY LINES CPN, WAM
        Establishes an underground conversion fund
        administered by the public utilities commission with
        funds deposited from legislative appropriations,
        voluntary contributions and utilities as authorized by
        the PUC. Requires PUC to establish cost allocations
        for counties that determine underground zones through
        special improvement districts by ordinance.

SB 2282  RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION     CPN
        Requires the PUC to authorize the need for a regulated
        utility's proposed capital project within a
        conservation district before the department of land
        and natural resources may accept the utility's
        application for a conservation district use permit.

SB 2283  RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION     CPN
        Authorizes the PUC to require the parties in
        commission proceedings to participate in alternative
        dispute resolution prior to hearing.

SB 2809  RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION CPN, WAM
        Clarifies that the division of consumer advocacy and
        the Public Utilities Commission share the
        responsibility for collecting consumer complaints.

SB 2284  RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION     CPN
        Requires the PUC to establish an intervenor program to
        assist consumers in PUC proceedings. Appropriates
        funds to the PUC for the creation and maintenance of
        an internet web site.

SB 2548  RELATING TO ENERGY                         CPN, WAM
        Requires the public utilities commission to: (1)
        develop and implement a grant program to offset costs
 
        of eligible distributed generation systems; and (2)
        establish appropriate interconnection and safety
        standards and requirements and operating agreements
        for distributed generation systems.

SB 2345  RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES     CPN, WAM
        Requires qualified electric utility companies to
        implement renewables portfolio standards, which
        requires these utilities to possess a minimum
        percentage of renewable energy resources within their
        overall resource portfolio. Provides for the issuance
        of renewable energy credits to renewable energy
        generators.

SB 2279  RELATING TO UTILITY LINES                       CPN
        Establishes a state policy with respect to the
        placement of utility lines that values the aesthetic
        benefit of the natural landscape above all other
        factors.

SB 2280  MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO QUANTIFY BENEFITS  CPN, WAM
        OF UNDERGROUNDING UTILITY LINES                    
        Appropriates $500,000 for a cost benefit study on
        undergrounding utility lines.                         

SB 2285  RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES                    CPN
        Requires the PUC to establish a one-call system to
        identify the location of underground facilities.
        Requires excavators to notify the system prior to
        excavating.

SB 2287  RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION CPN, WAM
        Establishes a special fund to be used towards the
        conversion of utility lines from overhead to
        underground. Authorizes the collection of an
        allocation from utilities and voluntary contributions
        from consumers to help fund the fund. Permits
        taxpayers to contribute to the fund through their tax
        returns.

SB 2351  RELATING TO UTILITY LINES                  CPN, WAM
        Establishes an intervenor program that assists
        consumers participation in PUC proceedings. Requires
        PUC to establish: a one-call system to identify
        underground facilities; a conversion program that
        converts overhead utility lines to underground lines,
        with utilities to participate in funding. Authorizes
        PUC to require ADR to settle issues prior to hearing.
        Appropriates funds to quantify benefits of underground
        lines. Appropriates funds to educate and inform
        consumers about PUC activities, processes & procedure.

SB 2346  RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITY LINES           CPN, WAM
        Articulates state policy to value aesthetic benefits
        in placing utilities. Requires independent preparation
        of EIS for regulated utility applicants.



        DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW, IF TIME PERMITS.

 
Persons wishing to testify should submit 30 copies of their
testimony to the committee clerk, Room 414, 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-
6460.



____________________________      _______________________________
Senator Brian Taniguchi           Senator Brian Kanno
Co-Chair                          Co-Chair