Bill Text: HI HB2260 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Public Utilities Commission; Ratemaking; Used; Useful
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-10 - The committee(s) on CPC recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB2260 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2014-HB2260-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2260 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO UTILITIES REGULATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 269-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b) No rate, fare, charge, classification, schedule, rule, or practice, other than one established pursuant to an automatic rate adjustment clause previously approved by the commission, shall be established, abandoned, modified, or departed from by any public utility, except after thirty days' notice to the commission as prescribed in section 269-12(b), and prior approval by the commission for any increases in rates, fares, or charges. The commission, in its discretion and for good cause shown, may allow any rate, fare, charge, classification, schedule, rule, or practice to be established, abandoned, modified, or departed from upon notice less than that provided for in section 269-12(b). A contested case hearing shall be held in connection with any increase in rates, and the hearing shall be preceded by a public hearing as prescribed in section 269-12(c), at which the consumers or patrons of the public utility may present testimony to the commission concerning the increase. The commission, upon notice to the public utility, may:
(1) Suspend the operation of all or any part of the proposed rate, fare, charge, classification, schedule, rule, or practice or any proposed abandonment or modification thereof or departure therefrom;
(2) After a hearing, by order:
(A) Regulate, fix, and change all such rates, fares, charges, classifications, schedules, rules, and practices so that the same shall be just and reasonable;
(B) Prohibit rebates and unreasonable discrimination between localities or between users or consumers under substantially similar conditions;
(C) Regulate the manner in which the property of every public utility is operated with reference to the safety and accommodation of the public;
(D) Prescribe its form and method of keeping accounts, books, and records, and its accounting system;
(E) Regulate the return upon its public utility property;
(F) Regulate the incurring of indebtedness relating to its public utility business; and
(G) Regulate its financial transactions; and
(3) Do all things that are necessary and in the
exercise of the commission's power and jurisdiction, all of which as so
ordered, regulated, fixed, and changed are just and reasonable, and provide a
fair return on the property of the utility actually used [or] and
useful for public utility purposes."
SECTION 2. Section 269-134, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
"(c) Notwithstanding any requirements to
the contrary, a high-voltage electric transmission cable system may be deemed
"used [or] and useful for public utility purposes" upon
commencing commercial operations, subject to the commission's determination and
approval."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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BY REQUEST |
Report Title:
Public Utilities Commission; Ratemaking; Used; Useful
Description:
Amends portions of Hawaii's utility ratemaking laws so as to allow utilities in the State the opportunity to earn a fair return on utility property that is "used and useful" for public utility purposes.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
