STAND. COM. REP. NO. 449

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.B. No. 272

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 272, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to exempt public utilities providing basic exchange service to every county in the State, or any affiliate or parent of such public utilities, from the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission and Consumer Advocate, including provisions relating to financial reporting, rate regulation, issuance of securitized assets, disposal of property, and relations with affiliates.

Verizon and Hawaiian Telcom supported this measure. Charter Communications opposed this measure. The Public Utilities Commission and Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs 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 H.B. No. 272, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair