Bill Text: HI SB133 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Utilities; Lifeline Electricity Rates; PUC

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [SB133 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-SB133-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 510

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 133

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 133, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO UTILITIES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to require the public utilities commission to institute a lifeline electricity rate for qualified residential energy customers.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaiian Electric Company.  Testimony providing comments was received from the Public Utilities Commission.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committee finds that the high cost of electricity can create financial difficulties for certain residential energy customers.  Your Committee further finds that some medical conditions require treatment, management, or monitoring with electrical devices.  This measure will help ensure that the cost of electricity is not a barrier to needed medical treatment for elderly and disabled residents.  Your Committee notes that Hawaiian Electric Company and the Division of Consumer Advocacy are currently working together to study schedules and other issues surrounding implementation of lifeline electricity rates. 

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

(1)  Clarifying the definition of "lifeline eligible" to be consistent with the eligibility criteria for lifeline telephone service; and

 

(2)  Deferring the effective date of this measure to encourage further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 133, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 133, S.D. 2.

 

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

 

		____________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair