Bill > SB2711

This bill, known as the "Public Utilities Commission Intervenor Compensation Act of 2026," establishes a program to reimburse qualified participants, called intervenors, for reasonable costs incurred when they make a substantial contribution to proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). An intervenor is defined as any party admitted to a commission proceeding who was not an original party, and "reasonable costs" can include legal fees, expert witness expenses, and other professional services. To qualify for reimbursement, an intervenor must represent public interests like consumer, environmental, or community concerns, demonstrate significant financial hardship without reimbursement, make a substantial contribution to the proceeding, and not have a commercial interest or alternative funding source. Certain groups, such as non-profit organizations with small budgets, community organizations representing underserved populations, and academic researchers, are presumed to meet these criteria unless proven otherwise. The PUC will oversee this program, develop rules for its operation, and report annually to the Legislature on its effectiveness, including details on reimbursement requests, awards, and the impact of intervenor participation. The bill also appropriates $500,000 for the initial establishment and administration of this program, which aims to address the imbalance of resources between utility companies and public interest groups in regulatory proceedings, thereby promoting more informed and equitable decision-making by the PUC.

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https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2711&year=2026