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, March 17, 2000

        TIME:    9:00 a.m.

        PLACE:   Conference Room 016
                 State Capitol
                 415 South Beretania Street


                        A G E N D A


The Committee previously held public hearings on Senate bills
that are substantially similar to House bills as noted.  Please
focus your testimony on the differences, if any, between the
House and Senate measures indentified below.

HB 1882 HD1     RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES   CPN, WAM
                COMMISSION
                Requires the Auditor to conduct a management
                audit of the Public Utilities Commission and
                report back to the Legislature and Governor
                before the convening of the Regular Session of
                2001.

HB 2467 HD1     RELATING TO CONSUMER ADVOCACY      CPN, WAM
(SB 2808)          Enables the division of consumer advocacy to
                retain its own legal counsel.  Repeals
                authority of the Hawaiian home lands trust
                individual claims review panel to hire and
                retain legal counsel.  Appropriates funds to
                hire staff attorneys.

HB 2468 HD1     RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES   CPN, WAM
(SB 2809)          COMMISSION
                Provides that the consumer advocate shall
                assist consumers in the handling of complaints
                before PUC, and PUC shall collect, compile,
                and serve as a central clearing house
                regarding consumer complaints and inquires
                regarding public utilities.


 


 
HB 1773 HD1     RELATING TO THE MOTOR CARRIER LAW       CPN
                Requires the Public Utilities Commission to
                render decisions on motions for either
                reconsideration or rehearing under the Motor
                Carriers law, and issue an order within 45
                days.
 
HB 1883 HD2     RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY       CPN, WAM
(SB 2345)          RESOURCES
                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.


        DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW, IF TIME PERMITS.



Persons wishing to testify should submit 25 copies, 3 hole
punched, of their testimony to the committee clerk, Room 219,
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-
66460.



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