Authorizes PUC chairperson to appoint research assistants, economists, legal secretaries, utility analysts, legal assistants, and enforcement officers with or without regard to chapter 76. (HB1021 CD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Section 269-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) The chairperson of the public utilities commission may appoint and employ [such] clerks, stenographers, agents, engineers, accountants, and other assistants for the public utilities commission as the chairperson finds necessary for the performance of the commission's functions and define their powers and duties. The chairperson may appoint and, at pleasure, dismiss a chief administrator[, research assistants, economists, legal secretaries, enforcement officers,] and [such] hearings officers as may be necessary. Notwithstanding section 103D-209(b), the chairperson shall appoint one or more attorneys independent of the attorney general who shall act as attorneys for the commission and define their powers and duties and fix their compensation. The chief administrator[, research assistants, economists, legal secretaries, enforcement officers, hearings officers,] and attorneys shall be exempt from chapter 76. Research assistants, economists, legal secretaries, utility analysts, legal assistants, and enforcement officers may be appointed with or without regard to chapter 76. Other employees shall be appointed as may be needed by the chairperson in accordance with chapter 76."

SECTION 2. The public utilities commission shall conduct an in-depth review of its organization to develop a comprehensive plan to restructure and supplement the commission and its resources to function more effectively and efficiently in light of, among other matters, changing regulatory conditions, duties, and requirements and advances in technology; and submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session of 2007. In the report, the public utilities commission shall specify the specific types and numbers of positions, and the amounts necessary to restructure the commission and supplement its resources as may be necessary and appropriate; and propose any necessary legislation.

SECTION 3. The division of consumer advocacy shall conduct an in-depth review of its organization to develop a comprehensive plan to restructure and supplement the division and its resources to function more effectively and efficiently in light of, among other matters, changing regulatory conditions, duties, and requirements and advances in technology; and submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session of 2007. In the report, the division of consumer advocacy shall specify the specific types and numbers of positions, and the amounts necessary to restructure the division and supplement its resources as may be necessary and appropriate; and propose any necessary legislation.

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.