Bill Text: HI SCR136 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Public Utilities Commission; Staffing

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-03-16 - Referred to CPH/JDL, WAM. [SCR136 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-SCR136-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	136
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO enhance independence and effectiveness.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the Public Utilities Commission is currently addressing several significant and controversial issues affecting key areas of the economy in the State of Hawaii including energy, water, and water transportation; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Commission's decision making in these critical matters must be independent and objective; and

 

     WHEREAS, administrative staff and support are important to maintain each commissioner's independence; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Commission is composed of three commissioners who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate; and

 

     WHEREAS, it is a best practice among States' public utility regulatory agencies for each commission to have dedicated, independent policy and legal advisors; and

 

     WHEREAS, the commissioners are three independent and equal positions who should have the ability to hire their own staff and advisors; and

 

     WHEREAS, under existing law, only the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission has the power to appoint, employ, and dismiss the executive director, professional staff, and other advisors and assistants for the Commission; and

 

     WHEREAS, one of the staff should be a secretary to the commissioners; and

 

     WHEREAS, a goal of the Commission is to re-evaluate and update internal Commission staff procedures to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of Commission activities; and

 

     WHEREAS, this body finds that there should be more balance between the Chairperson and the other commissioners when determining the selection of staff; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2016, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Public Utilities Commission is urged to allow each of its commissioners to appoint, employ, and dismiss a maximum of three professional staff and other advisors, one of whom shall serve as an attorney to the commissioner; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon the expiration of a commissioner's term, the term of employment of the professional staff and other advisors of that commissioner be extended, subject to the approval of the new commissioner to whom the staff and assistants be assigned, or with the approval of at least two commissioners; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission receive concurrence of at least one other commissioner prior to appointing, employing, and dismissing an executive officer; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commissioners of the Public Utilities Commission submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2017 regarding how the independence and effectiveness of the Public Utilities Commission was enhanced by this measure; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Public Utilities Commission; Staffing