STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1193-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   S.B. No. 1043

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 1043, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTRICITY PRODUCERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Legislative Utility Review Task Force, consisting of various legislators, to review electric utility franchises held by investor-owned public utilities and ensure their provision of adequate services.

Testimony in opposition to the measure was submitted by Hawaiian Electric Company and one individual.  The Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs submitted comments on the measure.

     Your Committee finds that all public utility companies should be held accountable for the provision of reliable, high quality services at reasonable rates.  Your Committee further finds that a review of investor-owned electric public utilities by a task force composed of legislators will ensure that the utilities fulfill their duty to serve the public interest and will help to determine whether appropriate legislation should be enacted to limit the functions of those utilities.

     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. 1043, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair