Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1460, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to establish an advisory committee in the Governor's office, to develop a comprehensive statewide plan for undergrounding utility lines that considers feasibility and cost. The committee is to be appointed by the Governor, in consultation with the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and is to include representatives from the following:

(1) Utilities;

(2) Non-profit entities;

(3) Community groups;

(4) The Public Utilities Commission; and

(5) The Office of the Consumer Advocate.

The Division of Consumer Advocacy of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and numerous individuals submitted testimony in support of this bill. Verizon Hawaii, Kauai Electric, Na Leo Pohai, and Oceanic Cable commented and requested membership on the advisory committee. The Department of Transportation and Hawaiian Electric Company and its subsidiaries, Hawaiian Electric Light Company and Maui Electric Company, testified in support of the intent of this bill. The Board of Land and Natural Resources opposed this measure.

Your Committee finds that it is important to maintain the aesthetic quality of our natural vistas and agrees that the comprehensive plan for undergrounding utility lines proposed by this measure would benefit Hawaii.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1460, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.