STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2876

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 1882
                                        H.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which
was referred H.B. No. 1882, H.D. 1, entitled: 

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize a reexamination
of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

     Testimony on the measure was submitted by the PUC, Consumer
Advocate, Maui County Council, Life of the Land, Na Leo Pohai,
Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance, and an individual.

     Previous management audits of the PUC revealed
organizational, procedural, and staffing deficiencies that
resulted in the enactment of legislation to address these
problems.  More than ten years have passed since the last
management audit of the agency, and during that time the area of
utility regulation has grown and become more technologically
complex.  Therefore, an updated audit of the PUC is warranted in
order to assess the adequacy of the current regulatory process in
addressing emerging and complex utility issues. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to
this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and
purpose of H.B. No. 1882, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass

 
a                                                     HB1882 HD1
 
                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2876
                                   Page 2


Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and
Means.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Commerce and
                                   Consumer Protection,



                                   ______________________________
                                   BRIAN KANNO, Co-Chair



                                   ______________________________
                                   BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Co-Chair

 
a                                                     HB1882 HD1