HI HB978

Expands the Public Utilities Commission's authority to appoint a receiver for investor-owned electric utilities that fail to provide adequate service or pose serious and imminent threats to customer health, safety, and welfare

Currently, receivership authority exists only for water and sewer utilities; this bill adds regulated investor-owned electric utilities to that provision under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 269-14.5

Appointed receivers would have full access to utility company assets and records, authority to manage assets, expend revenues for labor and materials, and commit resources to restore acceptable service levels

Receivership costs incurred by the commission, its staff, or the receiver would be the responsibility of the utility or its ratepayers

Effective date set for July 1, 3000 (placeholder date indicating further legislative action needed)