Bill Text: HI SB2022 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating To The Public Utilities Commission.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-02-23 - The committee on CPH deferred the measure. [SB2022 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2018-SB2022-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2022
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the public utilities commission.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the public utilities commission's primary purpose is to provide effective, proactive, and informed oversight of all regulated companies to ensure these companies efficiently and safely provide their customers with adequate and reliable services at just and reasonable rates, while providing regulated companies with a fair opportunity to earn a reasonable rate of return.  Oversight by the commission includes dockets and other proceedings initiated by regulated companies related to integrated resource planning and other proposed projects undertaken by the regulated companies.  These proceedings impact the development of utilities infrastructure throughout the State, especially in the growing field of renewable energy.

     The legislature further finds that the commission's existing procedures relating to dockets and other proceedings lack transparency and sufficient oversight.  Regulated companies have reported long delays in decision-making proceedings and a lack of responsiveness from the commission when attempting to expedite the decision-making process.  Companies and other parties to dockets also lack access to the commission's procedure for prioritizing among multiple proceedings.  Long delays and a lack of information relating to the decision-making process can result in the failure of time-sensitive projects and is a significant disincentive to companies that might consider developing renewable energy resources and infrastructure.

     The legislature additionally finds that the State has set a goal of one hundred per cent renewable energy by 2045.  Meeting this goal will require significant action on the part of state agencies as well as private entities, many of whom are regulated by the commission.  Consistency, efficiency, and transparency in the commission's decision-making process are essential to the abilities of those private entities to take the actions required for the State to meet its renewable energy goal.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a consistent, transparent timeframe for the decision-making process of the public utilities commission.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§269-    Timely decision making; annual report.  (a)  When a docket or other proceeding before the public utilities commission is initiated, the commission shall:

     (1)  Take any initial action required of the commission within sixty days after the initiation of the proceeding;

     (2)  Take any subsequent actions required of the commission within sixty days after the fulfilment of the requirements that trigger the action; and

     (3)  Render a decision within one hundred eighty days after fulfilment of the final requirement in the proceeding.

     (b)  The commission may extend a deadline provided in subsection (a) for good cause; provided that the commission notifies in writing all parties to the proceeding of:

     (1)  The commission's reason for extending the deadline; and

     (2)  The date of the extended deadline.

     (c)  The commission shall establish criteria for priority of dockets and other proceedings and shall post those criteria on the commission's public website.

     (d)  The commission shall submit a report summarizing all proceedings, including dockets, that were open at any point in the preceding calendar year to the legislature at least twenty days prior to the convening of each regular legislative session.  The annual report shall include:

     (1)  A brief description of the proceeding;

     (2)  A list of all parties to the proceeding;

     (3)  A list of all actions taken in the proceeding by all parties;

     (4)  A summary of each deadline extension in the proceeding, including the length of the extension and the reason for the extension; and

     (5)  The length of time it took the commission to reach a final decision in the proceeding."

     SECTION 3.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Public Utilities Commission; Decision Making Process; Deadlines; Annual Report

 

Description:

Establishes a timeframe for the decision-making processes of the Public Utilities Commission.  Requires the Commission to establish criteria for prioritizing among multiple proceedings.  Requires the Commission to submit a report to the Legislature prior to each regular session on all proceedings that were open at any time during the preceding year.

 

 

 

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