Authorizes PUC chairperson to appoint utility analysts and legal assistants exempt from chapter 76. (SD2)

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, utility analysts, legal assistants, 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, utility analysts, legal assistants, and attorneys shall be exempt from chapter 76. Other employees shall be appointed as may be needed by the chairperson in accordance with chapter 76."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.