CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 167

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: S.B. No. 1442

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 1442, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Public Utilities Commission to consider the value of improving electric power systems data access and transparency in order to make informed decisions; and

(2) Establish guiding principles for the Public Utilities Commission.

Your Committee on Conference finds that there is public interest in increasing transparency and improving access to all relevant energy-related data, whether services are provided by a regulated utility or a third-party services provider. By providing ratepayers with information concerning their energy consumption, they can make more informed decisions and manage their costs.  This measure improves energy data access and transparency in order to empower ratepayers, improves decision-making related to reliability and operational efficiency of the electric system, maximizes the value of grid modernization technologies and investments, and promotes innovation and economic development opportunities.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Public Utilities Commission to also consider how to increase non-utility data from third parties that provide generation or non-wire alternatives to individual customers or the grid; and

(2) Changing its effective date to upon approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1442, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1442, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN Co-Chair	____________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER Chair
____________________________ ROY M. TAKUMI Co-Chair	____________________________ GLENN WAKAI Co-Chair
____________________________ TINA WILDBERGER Co-Chair