THE SENATE
                THE TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE
                 REGULAR SESSION OF 2000

    MEASURES DEFERRED TO THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2000

      COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
                        9:00 a.m.
                   Conference Room 016


        DECISION MAKING ON THE FOLLOWING MEASURES
        (Deferred from February 11 and 16, 2000)

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 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 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 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.

 
        (Deferred from February 14 and 16, 2000)

SB 2277    RELATING TO THE LAND COURT               CPN/GOH, JDC
           Standardizes land  court  registration with Probate
           Code   and   bureau   of   conveyance   procedures.
           (TANIGUCHI/KANNO, Chumbley, Matsunaga)

(Please note: The Committee on Government Operations and Housing will
hold its decision making on the above measure on Thursday, February
17, 2000 at 1:30 p.m. in conference room 224.)


SB 2585    RELATING TO CONTRACTORS                      CPN, WAM
           Establishes warranties for new homes and a new home
           warranty security fund.  Requires new home builders
           to register with DCCA  and  builders of new housing
           developments  to  participate  in  the  fund  or an
           alternate  warranty  security  program.    Requires
           contractors to make building plans available to the
           customer.  (KANNO)


               (Deferred from February 16, 2000)

SB 2369    RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM. CPN, WAM
           Upon application to the ERS board, allows a class A
           member to withdraw for  one time only, the member's
           contributions (or a  portion thereof) for financial
           hardship.   Defines  financial  hardship.  Requires
           board to  set  implementing  rules.  (LEVIN; Bunda,
           Chun Oakland, D. Ige, Inouye, Iwase, Matsunaga)


                No testimony will be accepted.


For further information, please call the committee clerk at 586-6830.