STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1124

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   S.B. No. 99

      S.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 99, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure that the Public Utilities Commission represents the interests of the entire State by improving the Commission's structure and functioning.

     The Consumer Advocate; the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii; the Maui Chamber of Commerce; the Molokai Chamber of Commerce; the Molokai Chamber of Commerce Foundation; the Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Maui County Farm Bureau; the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce; Young Brothers, Limited; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; and a concerned individual supported this bill.  The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and the Blue Planet Foundation opposed this measure.  A concerned individual opposed this bill.  The Public Utilities Commission provided comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 99, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair