Informing the Legislature that on July 2, 2025, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB1500 SD2 HD1 CD1 (ACT 277).

This law (Act 277) authorizes Hawaii's Public Utilities Commission to appoint a receiver to take temporary control of an investor-owned electric utility that is failing to provide safe, reliable service, posing an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare. The receiver can manage the utility’s assets, operations, and finances to restore service during crises - such as when underfunded infrastructure (e.g., wildfire mitigation) leads to service disruptions - while protecting existing employee contracts and collective bargaining agreements. It specifically expands the Commission’s existing receiver authority (previously limited to water/sewer utilities) to cover electric utilities. The law aims to prevent service failures without permanently replacing the utility, ensuring continuity for customers and workers.