Bill Text: HI SB2645 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Public Utilities; Rates; Agriculture
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-27 - (S) Re-Referred to CPN/AGL, WAM. [SB2645 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2012-SB2645-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2645 |
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TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to public utilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that for farmers and ranchers to remain competitive and self-sustaining, the State must provide incentives and mechanisms to ensure that all means of supporting the local agriculture industry are implemented. The public utilities commission regulates the rates charged for public utilities that provide essential services to the agriculture industry such as water, interisland shipping, and electricity.
The purpose of this Act is to provide for preferential rates for public utility services provided to ratepayers engaged in agricultural activities.
SECTION 2. Section 269-26.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§269-26.5[]]
Preferential [water] public utility rates for agricultural
activities. (a) It is the policy of the State to promote the long-term viability
of agriculture by establishing mechanisms that provide for preferential rates
for [potable water for] public utility services that are provided to
ratepayers that engage in agricultural activities. The public utilities
commission shall have the authority to establish preferential rates for [potable
water] public utilities services that are used by ratepayers
for agricultural activities in a public utility's service area.
(b) Upon receipt of a bona fide request for
preferential rates for [potable water] any public utility service
to be used for agricultural activities[,] on lands within an
agricultural district, and proof that the customer engages in agricultural
activities[,] on lands within an agricultural district, a public
utility shall provide proposed preferential rates for [potable water] the
requested public utility service, including but not limited to potable water,
electricity, and freight transport, to be used only for qualified
agricultural activities subject to the public utilities commission for
approval. All such rates approved by the public utilities commission shall be
subsidized by the [potable water] rates charged to other customers of
the public utility, if required, as determined by the public
utilities commission. In reviewing the proposed preferential rates, the public
utilities commission, in consultation with the department of agriculture, may
establish additional criteria to qualify bona fide agribusinesses for [water]
public utility services used solely for agricultural activities[. For
rate cases initiated pursuant to this section, the public utilities commission
shall allow the recovery of any reasonable unamortized costs incurred by the
public utility in its previous rate case; provided however, upon full
amortization of these costs, rates shall be adjusted accordingly.] on
lands within an agricultural district."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2013.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Public Utilities; Rates; Agriculture
Description:
Directs public utilities to establish preferential rates for public utility services provided to ratepayers engaged in agricultural activities in agricultural districts. Effective January 1, 2013.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
