STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2599

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2991

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2991, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENERGY RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Comprehensively address deficiencies in Hawaii's energy resource coordination statutes; and

     (2)  Provide policy guidance on the nature and relationship of the energy data analyses functions of the State Energy Resources Coordinator and the Energy Program.

     The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism submitted testimony in support of this measure.

     Your Committee finds that the proposed amendments to chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, reflect the energy security-related analytic functional requirements and responsibilities of the Energy Resources Coordinator.  This measure highlights the distinctive differences between the Energy Resources Coordinator's energy data analytic functions and those of other agencies, such as the Public Utilities Commission.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style, including:

     (1)  Referring to "the coordinator" in all amendments, instead of "the director", to be consistent with chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (2)  Deleting language to the effect that the restrictions on the disclosure of confidential information is for the purpose of "effectuating the purposes of [chapter 196], chapter 125C, and other relevant laws, or in order for the [coordinator] to perform the duties pursuant to [chapter 196], chapter 125C, and other relevant laws" because the purpose is implicit in the restrictions and was previously stated in the amendment to chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, under section 2 of the bill; and

     (3)  Deleting the amendments to the definitions of "coordinator" and "director" in section 196-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, because it is already clear from the current definitions of "coordinator" and "energy resources coordinator" under sections 196‑2 and 196‑3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, respectively, that the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is the Energy Resources Coordinator.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2991, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2991, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair