Report Title:
Public Utilities Commission Review Task Force
Description:
Establishes a task force to review the organization and operations of the public utilities commission and to make recommendations for its improvement, reorganization, or dissolution.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
789 |
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TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the public utilities commission.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. (a) There is established within the department of budget and finance for administrative purposes only and not subject to section 26-34, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the public utilities commission review task force to study the organization and operations of the public utilities commission.
(b) The task force shall be composed of the following twelve members:
(1) One member of the senate committee on consumer protection and housing appointed by the president of the senate;
(2) One member of the house committee on consumer protection and commerce appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(3) Five members appointed by the governor from:
(A) The telecommunications industry;
(B) The common carrier industry;
(C) The electric utility industry;
(D) The natural gas industry; and
(E) The sewage disposal industry; and
(4) Five members representing utility consumers appointed by the consumer advocate.
(c) The task force shall:
(1) Review the organization and operations of the public utilities commission and commission staff;
(2) Review the laws of other states related to public utilities regulatory bodies;
(3) Investigate ways in which the operations of the public utilities commission may be updated, streamlined, or made more efficient; and
(4) Explore alternatives to regulation by the public utilities commission.
(d) The task force shall perform its duties as follows:
(1) Members shall serve without compensation; provided that members may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties;
(2) A simple majority of the members of the task force shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and all actions of the task force shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present; and
(3) The task force may hold public hearings as frequently as deemed necessary and feasible to receive testimony on issues relative to the task force's investigation.
(e) The department of budget and finance shall provide administrative, clerical and other support staff to assist the task force in the administration of its duties.
(f) The task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the governor no later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session of 2003.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, and the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, for expenses related to the public utilities commission review task force.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of budget and finance for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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