CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 202

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1500

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir and Madam:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 1500, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTRIC UTILITIES,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the Public Utilities Commission to appoint a receiver to take temporary action necessary to assure continued adequate electric services from failing regulated investor-owned electric utilities; and

(2) Require an appointed receiver to recognize and maintain the terms and conditions of any existing collective bargaining agreement and prohibit the receiver from inducing or causing a reduction in force or terminating a covered employee other than for a cause consistent with any collective bargaining agreement.

Your Committee on Conference finds that, when a regulated water or sewer utility is failing, or if there is an imminent threat of the utility failing, to provide adequate and reliable service to its customers, the Public Utilities Commission has the authority to appoint a receiver to take temporary action on behalf of the regulated water or sewer utility under existing law. Your Committee on Conference further finds that the same authority does not exist with respect to regulated investor-owned electric utilities. This measure extends the authority of the Public Utilities Commission to appoint a receiver for regulated investor-owned electric utilities.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by making it effective upon its approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1500, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1500, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN Co-Chair	____________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE Chair
____________________________ JACKSON D. SAYAMA Co-Chair	____________________________ GLENN WAKAI Co-Chair
____________________________ SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI Co-Chair
____________________________ JENNA TAKENOUCHI Co-Chair