STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2617

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2108

       S.D. 1

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2108, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to limit the retail services for which the Public Utilities Commission's approval must be obtained by a telecommunications carrier that desires to charge a higher rate than the approved tariff to basic exchange services.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaiian Telecom and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Division of Consumer Advocacy.

     Your Committee finds that dramatic technological changes within the telecommunications industry have resulted in increased telecommunications options for consumers.  Your Committee further finds that this measure will continue the State's efforts to level the regulatory playing field in the retail services telecommunications market, ensure that Hawaii consumers needing basic retail phone service have their rates protected, and ensure overall that consumers are served by a telecommunications marketplace in which all carriers can compete fairly and equitably.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2108, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair