HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

928

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE CONSUMER ADVOCATE.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  Section 269-15, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  If the public utilities commission is of the opinion that any public utility or any person is violating or neglecting to comply with any provision of this chapter or of any rule, regulation, order, or other requirement of the commission, or of any provisions of its franchise, charter, or articles of association, if any, or that changes, additions, extensions, or repairs are desirable in its plant or service to meet the reasonable convenience or necessity of the public, or to insure greater safety or security, or that any rates, fares, classifications, charges, or rules are unreasonable or unreasonably discriminatory, or that in any way it is doing what it ought not to do, or not doing what it ought to do, it shall in writing inform the public utility or the person and may institute such proceedings before it as may be necessary to require the public utility or the person to correct any such deficiency.  In such event, the commission may by order direct the [director of commerce and consumer affairs] consumer advocate to appear in such proceeding, to carry out the purposes of this section.  The commission may examine into any of the matters referred to in section 269-7, notwithstanding that the same may be within the jurisdiction of any court or other body; provided that this section shall not be construed as in any manner limiting or otherwise affecting the jurisdiction of any such court or other body."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

BY REQUEST


 


 

Report Title:

Consumer Advocate; Public Utilities Commission; Violations; Regulatory Proceedings

 

Description:

Clarifies section 269-15(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, so that the Public Utilities Commission may order the Consumer Advocate, rather than the Director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, to appear in regulatory proceedings initiated by the Commission to enforce chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and related requirements.

 

 

 

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