§486J-11 - Powers of the public utilities commission. - Hawaii Statutes

     §486J-11  Powers of the public utilities commission.  (a)  The public utilities commission may take any action or make any determination under this chapter, including but not limited to actions or determinations that affect persons not regulated under chapters 269, 271, and 271G, as the commission deems necessary to carry out its responsibilities or otherwise effectuate chapter 269, 271, or 271G.

     (b)  The public utilities commission may examine or investigate each distributor, the manner in which it is operated, its prices and rates, its operating costs and expenses, the value of its property and assets, the amount and disposition of its income, any of its financial transactions, its business relations with other persons, companies, or corporations, its compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, and all matters of any nature affecting the relations and transactions between the distributor and the public, persons, or businesses.

     (c)  In the performance of its duties under this chapter, the commission shall have the same powers respecting administering oaths, compelling the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, examining witnesses, and punishing for contempt, as are possessed by the circuit courts.  In case of disobedience by any person to any order of or subpoena issued by the commission, or of the refusal of any witness to testify to any matter regarding which the witness may be lawfully questioned, any circuit court, upon application by the commission, shall compel obedience as in case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued from a circuit court or a refusal to testify therein. [L 1997, c 257, pt of §2; am L 2007, c 182, §10]