Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Legislative Management, to which was referred H.B. No. 475 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to require the Auditor to conduct a management audit of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

The Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance and an individual submitted testimony in support of this bill. PUC submitted testimony in support of the intent of this bill. The Division of Consumer Advocacy of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Life of the Land submitted comments on this bill.

Your Committee finds that in previous years, audits uncovered serious concerns with the operation of PUC. Among other things, excessive workloads and inadequate resources restricted the ability of PUC to effectively manage itself. A management audit will help PUC to better recognize its strengths and weaknesses and ensure that it is equipped to handle the challenges that it will face in Hawaii's rapidly changing economy.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Legislative Management that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 475 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committees on Consumer Protection and Commerce and Energy and Environmental Protection.