SB2648 Summary

• Provides per diem compensation at the maximum federal employee rate for Hawaii to Public Utilities Commission members who are residents of counties other than Honolulu for days when actual service is rendered.

• Clarifies that the PUC chairperson may appoint and employ professional staff, and grants individual commissioners the right to request staff attorneys and researchers for assistance with pending decisions and orders.

• Allows each non-chairperson commissioner to appoint and employ a clerical or support staff person to assist with their duties.

• Establishes a task force within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to examine PUC operations and evaluate the docket review process, teleconference/videoconference capabilities, commission membership composition, and roles of the executive officer and chief counsel.

• Task force must submit findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than 20 days before the 2019 regular legislative session and is dissolved on June 30, 2019.