STAND. COM. REP. NO.  916

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1004

      H.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1004, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONSUMER ADVOCACY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to enhance the ability of the Division of Consumer Advocacy (Division) of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to carry out its duties and responsibilities by:

(1)  Requiring the Division to restructure its operations pursuant to the Division's December 2006, report to the Legislature to improve its effectiveness and efficiency; and

(2)  Appropriating funds to meet the costs incurred as a result of the restructuring process.

     The Executive Director of the Division, Public Utilities Commission, Hawaii Energy Policy Forum, The Gas Company, Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc., Maui Electric Company, Ltd., Young Brothers, Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and a concerned individual supported this bill.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Deleting any specific appropriation amounts; and

(2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1004, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1004, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair