Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to broaden the role of the Consumer Advocate by requiring the Consumer Advocate to consider the benefits of renewable resources.

The Division of Consumer Advocacy commented on the bill.

Your Committee is aware that the issue of renewable resources is especially important to Hawaii because of its insularity and dependence on imported fossil fuels, mostly petroleum, for its energy needs. The issue of renewable resources has become even more critical with the escalating unrest and negative incidents in several oil-producing nations. Your Committee finds that it is appropriate that the Consumer Advocate, as advocate for the interests of Hawaii's consumers, consider the benefits of renewable energy resources.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1328 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection.