Bill Text: HI SR33 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Requesting The Public Utilities Commission To Investigate Measures To Benefit Vulnerable Customers, Such As Low-income And Retired Customers, And Identify Funding Sources To Support Social Policy Objectives That Would Prevent The Shifting Of Costs To Other Ratepayers.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2022-06-06 - Certified copies of resolutions sent, 06/06/22. [SR33 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2022-SR33-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
33 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE Public Utilities Commission to investigate measures to benefit vulnerable customers, such as low-income and retired customers, and identify funding sources to support social policy objectives that would prevent THE shifting OF costs to other ratepayers.
WHEREAS, many low-income utility customers and retired senior citizens live on limited or fixed incomes and face tight budgets, requiring them to limit expenses; and
WHEREAS, the costs of public utilities, including electricity, water, gas, telephone, and telecommunication services, are consistently rising and are difficult to limit or negotiate; and
WHEREAS, the widening gaps between the rising costs of public utility services and low- or fixed incomes of certain customers and retired senior citizens make it increasingly difficult for them to live within their budgets; and
WHEREAS, public utilities charging discounted rates to any one customer group may shift costs to other ratepayers or result in a subsidy that could have unintended consequences, making utility bills even less affordable to vulnerable groups of ratepayers; and
WHEREAS, proactive measures are needed to help low-income customers and retired senior citizen customers maintain a reasonable quality of life despite rising, but necessary, public utility expenses; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the Public Utilities Commission is requested to investigate measures to benefit vulnerable customers, such as low-income and retired customers, and identify funding sources to support social policy objectives that would prevent the shifting of costs to other ratepayers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Public Utilities Commission is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission.
Public Utilities; Low-Income and Retired Customers
