HI HB1504

Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study comparing Hawaii's for-profit energy utilities with publicly or cooperatively owned energy utilities in Kauai, Boulder Colorado, Sacramento California, Long Island New York, and other utilities deemed appropriate.

Study must compare organizational models, ownership structures, ratepayer relations, operating and rate costs, energy generation sources, and incentives to achieve renewable energy goals between Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. and the selected public/cooperative utilities.

Study must review the conversion processes used by utilities that transitioned to municipally-owned or cooperative structures and assess associated benefits, problems, procedural issues, and legal considerations.

Legislative Reference Bureau may contract with other entities to conduct the study and is exempt from chapter 103D Hawaii Revised Statutes procurement requirements.

Requires appropriation from general revenues for fiscal year 2015-2016 to fund the study with findings due to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2016 regular session convenes.