Bill Text: HI HB3 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 3 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Public Electric Utilities; UH; DBEDT; Study; Appropriations ($)

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-12-17 - Carried over to 2016 Regular Session. [HB3 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-HB3-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	3
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to public electric utilities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that public utilities in the State are private entities that are owned by investors who are not necessarily residents of the State and are subject to purchase by other private entities. Moreover, concerns have been raised that the proposed purchase of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., by Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc., will negatively impact the State's commitment to the development of renewable energy use.

The legislature also finds that cities across the country are showing a renewed interest in taking over the electricity business from public utilities that are privately owned by investors. The reasons for this renewed interest are the intensifying concerns about climate change and power disruptions, and a desire to supply more renewable energy to the electric grid. Simultaneously, developments in technology have eroded some of the natural monopoly aspects of traditional public utilities, especially with electricity generation, electricity retailing, and telecommunication.

The legislature further finds that in contrast to privately-owned public utilities, publicly-owned public utilities include cooperative utilities that are owned by the customers served by the cooperative utilities and municipal utilities, such as a public authority, which are government entities. A variation of the cooperative utility is the establishment of a public power district, which is created with the specific legislative intent to take over territory being served by privately-owned public utilities.

The purpose of this Act is to require the University of Hawaii, in consultation with the department of business, economic development, and tourism to study the benefits of establishing public electric utilities in the State that are publicly owned.

SECTION 2. The University of Hawaii, in consultation with the department of business, economic development, and tourism shall study the benefits of establishing public electric utilities in the State that are publicly owned.

The University of Hawaii shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2016.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 for the University of Hawaii to conduct the study required under this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 for the department of business, economic development, and tourism to assist the University of Hawaii with the study required under this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Public Electric Utilities; UH; DBEDT; Study; Appropriations

Description:

Requires UH, in consultation with DBEDT, to study the benefits of establishing public electric utilities in the State that are publicly owned. Appropriates moneys for the study.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.