Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1328 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to broaden the authorization of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Division of Consumer Advocacy (Consumer Advocate) by allowing it to consider the benefits of renewable resources in its role as a consumer advocate.

The Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter, and Life of the Land testified in support of this bill. The Consumer Advocate supported the intent of this bill.

This bill clarifies the Consumer Advocate's role to consider the benefits of renewable energy. While the Consumer Advocate testified that it already considers the benefits of renewable resources as a routine matter, your Committee believes that this clarification is necessary.

Your Committee has amended this bill by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1328, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1328, H.D. 1.