Bill Text: HI HB410 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Auditor; Public Utilities Commission
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 7-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-02-09 - The committee(s) on CPC recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB410 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2015-HB410-Introduced.html
|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
410 |
|
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to auditing the public Utilities commission.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Hawaiian Electric Companies (HECO) serve ninety-five per cent of the energy needs of Hawaii citizens and is accountable to the public utilities commission, yet is continually reported to be lagging in ability to meet requested standards. The executive branch and legislature have established the goals and directives for energy initiatives in the State, and HECO is often criticized for its slow issuance of action plans and poor implementation of new technology. The commission has ordered HECO to take immediate steps to implement new technologies and lower costs, but the results have been disappointing.
Therefore, the legislature further finds that in the interest of Hawaii citizens, there should be closer scrutiny of the commission and the public utilities it oversees.
The purpose of this Act is to mandate a periodic management and financial audit of the public utilities commission, to ensure compliance with the expectations and goals of the commission as established by the legislature and executive branch.
SECTION 2. Chapter 23, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§23- Public Utilities Commission; audit. (a) The auditor shall conduct at least every five years a management and financial audit of the public utilities commission to determine if the commission is in compliance with all relevant programmatic and financial requirements. The first audit shall be conducted within one year of the effective date of this Act. These audits shall include but not be limited to a review of the following:
(1) The responsibilities, services, and activities of the commission;
(2) The propriety of expenditures;
(3) Compliance by the commission with any laws and rules that may be in effect;
(4) The management and oversight of all public utilities
by the commission; and
(5) Any additional audit issues that the auditor deems appropriate.
(b) The commission, any public utilities, and any private companies or agencies receiving state funds shall fully cooperate with and provide assistance to the auditor as needed with respect to its audit, and shall respond promptly to the auditor's requests in conducting the audit, including providing records and other information requested in the course of the audit.
(c) The commission shall compensate the auditor for expenditures incurred by the auditor in conducting the management and financial audit.
(d) The auditor shall submit its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session following the year in which the audit is conducted."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
|
INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
|
|
_____________________________ |
|
|
|
Report Title:
Auditor; Public Utilities Commission
Description:
Mandates a periodic management and financial audit of the Public Utilities Commission by the State auditor.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
