HB2295

Report Title:

Public Utilities Commission; Website; Consumer Intervenor

Description:

Requires that the PUC establish an intervenor program to help consumers provide information for hearings and other PUC proceedings; appropriates funds for the creation and maintenance of a PUC website.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2295
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002
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. Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§269- Intervenor program. The commission shall establish an intervenor program that assists consumers who have significant information to contribute to hearings and other proceedings before the commission. The intervenor program shall include procedural assistance and financial compensation for consumer costs including reasonable consultant's and attorney's fees. The commission shall adopt rules under chapter 91 to establish standards for and implement the intervenor program."

SECTION 2. The public utilities commission shall establish an information and communication resource accessible through the world wide web.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the public utilities commission special fund of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 for the public utilities commission to create and maintain an information and communication resource accessible through the world wide web.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the public utilities commission for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2002.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________