STAND. COM. REP. NO.352

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 723

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 723 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to install underground utility lines in all new highway construction in which installation of such lines is feasible.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the DOT, the Chair, Vice-chair, and a member of the Maui County Council, Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., and two concerned citizens.

Your Committee finds that underground utility lines are more aesthetically pleasing than lines strung along poles above ground, which allows residents and visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the islands.

In addition, underground lines are safer during natural disasters, such as hurricanes, and will result in fewer service interruptions when such disasters and severe storms occur. Therefore, your Committee supports this measure.

Based on concerns raised by the DOT, however, your Committee amended this measure to specify that no funds from the state highway fund will be used to comply with the requirements of this measure. This measure contains an appropriation from general revenues for the installation of underground lines, and your Committee agrees that using the general fund of the State or revenue bonds is appropriate.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 723, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 723, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations,

____________________________

CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair