STAND. COM. REP. NO. 116-00

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 2000

                                 RE: H.B. No. 1960
                                     




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce and
Economic Development and Business Concerns, to which was referred
H.B. No. 1960 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONSUMER ACTIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to give a consumer the right to
declaratory relief to invalidate any law whose primary effect is
an economic impact on the consumer, if the effect is not
beneficial to the consumer.

     Your Committee received testimony supporting this bill from
the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.  The Department of Commerce
and Consumer Affairs expressed general support for the measure.
The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce supported the intent of the
bill.  Testimony in opposition was submitted by the International
Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union Local 142.

     Your Committee finds that government regulation should have
the primary effect of benefitting consumers, and that the issues
raised by this bill are important ones, that merit further
consideration and discussion.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your
Committees on Consumer Protection and Commerce and Economic
Development and Business Concerns that are attached to this
report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose

 
 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 116-00
                                 Page 2

 
of H.B. No. 1960 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be
referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committees on Consumer
                                   Protection and Commerce and
                                   Economic Development and
                                   Business Concerns,

                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
______________________________     ______________________________
ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair            RON MENOR, Chair