Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

The official site of DCCA, whose goals are to promote a strong and healthy business environment while protecting the community from unfair and deceptive business practices. The website offers access to databases to "Check Out a Business," and has search functions for business names, professional and vocational licenses, and insurance licenses. In addition, there are links for new business registration, business annual report filing, professional and vocational license renewals, and insurance license renewals, as well as links to reports produced by DCCA.

 

Public Utilities Commission

The digital home of the PUC, which, among other things, regulates all franchised or certificated public service companies operating in the state, prescribes rates, tariffs, charges, and fees, and determines the allowable rate of earnings in establishing rates. The website houses PUC forms, reports to the Legislature, and PUC announcements. In addition, there are links to the Hawaii One Call Center, the Hawaii Energy Efficiency Program and information on residential solar water heating system standards.

 

NOTE:  The House Majority Caucus provides links to other Web sites from time to time for information purposes only. Providing these links does not necessarily indicate the House Majority Caucus' or the Legislature's support or endorsement of the site.

 

Federal Trade Commission

The FTC deals with issues that touch several aspects of economic life in America.  It is the only federal agency with both consumer protection and competition jurisdiction in broad sectors of the economy.  The FTC polices anticompetitive practices and unfair or deceptive acts or practices.  The Commission also administers a wide variety of additional consumer protection laws and maintains the authority to adopt industry-wide trade regulation rules.  The site contains several annual FTC reports, information on anti-trust regulations, and information on policy planning.

 

Bureau of Consumer Protection

As one of the Federal Trade Commission's three Bureaus, BCP works to protect consumers against unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices in the marketplace.  The Bureau conducts investigations, sues companies and people who violate the law, develops rules to protect consumers, and educates consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities.  The website offers information on a variety of consumer topics, organized into categories such as automobiles, computers and the internet, health, energy and the environment, and credit and loans.  The site also provides access to various BCP publications.

 

Bureau of Economics

One of the Federal Trade Commission's three bureaus, the Bureau of Economics provides economic analysis and support to anti-trust and consumer protection investigations and rulemakings.  The Bureau also analyzes the economic impact of government regulation, and provides Congress, the Executive Branch, and the public with policy recommendations relating to competition and consumer protection.  The site offers access to economic issue papers, working papers, and economic reports on a variety of topics.

 

NOTE:  The House Majority Caucus provides links to other Web sites from time to time for information purposes only. Providing these links does not necessarily indicate the House Majority Caucus' or the Legislature's support or endorsement of the site.

 

National Conference of State Legislatures

NCSL is a bipartisan organization that provides several services, including research and technical assistance for policymakers, to create a forum for the exchange of ideas on state issues. The website has information related to banking, insurance, and financial services organized by issue, and including bill summaries, reports, articles, and newsletters. The site also offers a page discussing how different state lawmakers are addressing foreclosures, a list of legislative actions meant to combat identity theft, and reports on the use of credit information in insurance.

 

NOTE:  The House Majority Caucus provides links to other Web sites from time to time for information purposes only. Providing these links does not necessarily indicate the House Majority Caucus' or the Legislature's support or endorsement of the site.