Bill Text: HI SB3087 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: PUC; Assistants; Disclosure; Renewable Energy
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-31 - Re-Referred to CPN/ENE, JDL/WAM. [SB3087 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2014-SB3087-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
3087 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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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 was established in 1913. The legislature also finds that over the past ten years, all of its commissioners have taken a very active and participatory role in commission deliberations. With the increased complexity of utility issues being presented before the public utilities commission for its review, individual commissioners require increased resources to make informed decisions. The legislature further finds that each commissioner should be able to hire staff assistants to help independently evaluate the complex issues that are brought before the commission. In addition, the legislature further finds there should be more public disclosure by commissioners to prevent potential conflicts of interest. Finally, the legislature finds that not all renewable energy resources are equally desirable, and the commission should give preference to those that meet certain state energy objectives.
SECTION 2. Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§269- Classes of renewable energy. The commission shall give preference to renewable energy resources that meet state objectives, including:
(1) Lower lifetime costs;
(2) Lower life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions;
(3) Increase of intrastate capital retention; and
(4) Reduction of peak energy demand."
SECTION 3. Section 269-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§269-2 Public utilities commission; number, appointment of commissioners, qualifications; compensation; persons having interest in public utilities. (a) There shall be a public utilities commission of three members, to be called commissioners, and who shall be appointed in the manner prescribed in section 26-34, except as otherwise provided in this section. All members shall be appointed for terms of six years each, except that the terms of the members first appointed shall be for two, four, and six years, respectively, as designated by the governor at the time of appointment. The governor shall designate a member to be chairperson of the commission. Each member shall hold office until the member's successor is appointed and qualified. Section 26-34 shall not apply insofar as it relates to the number of terms and consecutive number of years a member can serve on the commission; provided that no member shall serve more than twelve consecutive years.
In appointing commissioners, the governor shall select persons who have had experience in accounting, business, engineering, government, finance, law, or other similar fields. The commissioners shall devote full time to their duties as members of the commission and no commissioner shall hold any other public office or other employment during the commissioner's term of office. No person owning any stock or bonds of any public utility corporation, or having any interest in, or deriving any remuneration from, any public utility shall be appointed a commissioner.
(b) Effective July 1, 2005, the chairperson of the commission shall be paid a salary set at eighty-seven per cent of the salary of the director of human resources development, and each of the other commissioners shall be paid a salary equal to ninety-five per cent of the chairperson's salary. The commissioners shall be exempt from chapters 76 and 89 but shall be members of the state employees retirement system and shall be eligible to receive the benefits of any state or federal employee benefit program generally applicable to officers and employees of the State, including those under chapter 87A.
The commission is placed within the department of budget and finance for administrative purposes.
(c) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the commission shall annually post on its website a copy of each commissioner's annual disclosure of financial interests filed with the state ethics commission."
SECTION 4. Section 269-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§269-3 Employment of assistants. (a) The chairperson of the public utilities commission may appoint and employ professional staff and other assistants for the public utilities commission as the chairperson finds necessary for the performance of the commission's functions and define their powers and duties. The chairperson may appoint and, at pleasure, dismiss a chief administrator and attorneys as may be necessary, and who shall be exempt from chapter 76. The chairperson may also appoint other staff with or without regard to chapter 76.
(b) Notwithstanding section 91-13, the commission
may consult with its assistants appointed under authority of this section in
any contested case or agency hearing concerning any issue of facts. Neither
the commission nor any of its assistants shall [in such proceeding]
consult with any other person or party in the proceeding except upon
notice and an opportunity for all parties to participate, save to the extent
required for the disposition of ex parte matters authorized by law.
(c) Each commissioner other than the chairperson may appoint and employ two professional staff or other assistants without regard to chapter 76, including research assistants, attorneys, economists, legal secretaries, or legal assistants.
(d) The commission shall post on its website the names of all of its contractors and non-clerical employees."
SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
PUC; Assistants; Disclosure; Renewable Energy
Description:
Requires the PUC to post on its website the names of its contractors and non-clerical employees and a copy of each commissioner's annual disclosure of financial interests. Authorizes commissioners other than the chairperson to hire 2 staff members. Requires the PUC to give preference to certain types of renewable energy resources.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
