Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-04-07
UTILITIES B Ill
INTRODUCED
SATURDAY

FOLLOWING Is the pubic utilities Dill
introduced last Saturday and To which
there is objection because of the lin
tied powers 1t confers: -"
Draft Of Latest Bill. .~-@ f.: 4. p.
The public utilities bill introduced
last Saturday is as follows:
Proposed Utilities Bill. ..
Section l. There is hereby created
a board of public utilities. 10 consist
of the secretary OF the territory. the
attorney general and the superintend-
Gnt of public works. ali ex officio.
Section 2. Such board shall have
the general supervision hereinafter set
forth over ali public utilities doing
business in the territory Of HaYaii,
and shall perform the duties and ex-
ercise the powers by this act confer
red.
Section 3. Such board shall pre-
pare and present to the governor in
the month of January in each year a.
report respecting its action during the
preceding calendar year, together with
its recommendations respecting legis-
lation, copies of which shall be fur
lrished to the Legislature. The first
report shall be presented in the
month of January, 1914, and shall
cover the actions of the board during
the calendar year of 1913.
Citizens Can File Complaint.
Section 4. Such board shall have
power TO examine into the condition.
of each public utility doing business in,
tie territory, the manner In which it
is operated with reference to the safe.
" or accommodation of the public.
and concerning its compliance with
all applicable territorial and federal
laws and with. the provisions of its.
franchise, charter and articles of asso-
citation, if any: including power to in.
pestigate rates, fares, charges, CLASH
fioations, rules, regulations, practices
and service, and all matters of every.
nature affecting the relation between,
the public and the public utility. Any
such investigation may be made by the.
board ON its own motion, and shall be,
made when requested by the public.
utility to be examined, or upon a.
complaint being made to the board,
in writing and verified by the oath Of
the complainant, setting forth any
prima facie ground of complaint.
Section 5. Every public utility
shall at all times upon request furnish
to the board any information it may
require respecting any of the matters
concerning which it is given power of
investigation, and shall permit the ex-l
animation of its books, records, con-
tracts and other documents by the
board, or any of its members or any
person authorized by the board IN
writing TO make such examination.
Section 6. Every public. utility.
shall report to the board all accidents,
caused by or arising in connections
with its operations and service, and
the board shall Investigate the causes
of any accident which results in loss
Of life, and may investigate any other
accidents which in its opinion require
Section Z. In all investigations
made by the board, and in all proceed
ings before it, said board and each of
it's members shall have the same pow
ers respecting administering oaths,1
compelling the attendance Of witt
nesses, and the production of docu-
mentary evidence and examining wit
nesses, as are possessed by circuit
judges at chambers. The fees and
travelling expenses of witnesses shall
be the same as allowed witnesses in
the circuit courts and shall be paid by
the territory out of available appropri-
ations for the expenses of the board.
Publicity Required
Section s. the rates, fares and
charges of every public utility shall be |
published by the public utility board,
and copies furnished to any person
on request.
Section 8. Whenever an investiga-i
tion is undertaken by the board, rear
sonaBe notice in writing of such fact
and of the subject or subjects to be
investigated shall be given to the pub
lie utility concerned, and when based
upon complaint made to 1t as pre-
scribed in section 4, copy of such
complaint, and notice in writing Of
the date and place fixed by the board
for the beginning of such inyestiga-j
ton shall be served upon the public
utility not less than two weeks prior
10 the date designated for such hear
ing. . '"
Section 10. At any investigation
by or proceeding before the board this
public utility concerned and any COM
plainart shall have the right to be !
present and represented by counsel.
20 present any evidence desired and
10 cross examine any witnesses who
may be called. Any investigation
based upon complaint shall be public
Section IL. The beard may make |
rules respecting procedure before it, |
not inconsistent with law, and shall
not be bound by strict rules of the
common law relating to the admission
or rejection of evidence, but may ex-I
ercise it's own discretion in such mat
tiers with a view to doing substantial |
justice. ~ H.. /
May Publish Findings. 49,
Section l2 If the board shall bel