Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1777, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify that the Public Utilities Commission, upon motion, notice, and hearing, may exempt a telecommunications provider from public hearing and contested case requirements in rate-related matters.

Your Committee agrees with the intent of this measure, and finds that there are sufficient requirements in the public utilities law to ensure the public's due process rights to notice and an opportunity to be heard on utility rates that may affect them.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1777, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.