Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2621 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify the role of the Consumer Advocate of the Division of Consumer Advocacy, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to better protect the interests of consumers.

Specifically, this measure clarifies that the Consumer Advocate shall represent consumers only. It also clarifies that "consumers" shall be defined as "rate payers of public utility services or retail purchasers of gasoline."

The Executive Director of the Division of Consumer Advocacy, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, provided comments on this measure. Life of the Land submitted testimony in opposition.

Your Committee finds that there has been some confusion in the Consumer Advocate's role in the regulation of the wholesale price of gasoline, which is not a public utility. This measure is intended to clarify that the Consumer Advocate represents the consumers, not the regulated companies.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2621 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.