Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2137, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to avoid the cost, safety hazards, and inconvenience resulting from the unintentional rupturing of water mains, sewer lines, telecommunication cables, and other public utilities by establishing a statewide one call center. As a clearinghouse, this center will provide advance warning to excavators of the location of subsurface installations in the area of the excavation.

Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., and its subsidiary utilities, Maui Electric Company and Hawaii Electric Light Company, the General Contractors Association of Hawaii, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Building Industry Association of Hawaii, and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure. Verizon Hawaii and The Gas Company also supported this bill and offered amendments. The Department of Transportation, Public Utilities Commission, and the Consumer Advocate supported the intent of this measure but expressed concerns. The City and County of Honolulu opposed this bill.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2137, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.