Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2137, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a one call center and board to provide advance warnings of excavations or other work close to existing subsurface installations to protect those installations from damage.

Specifically, this measure regulates excavation activity, requires excavation identification numbers, requires utility operators to locate their facilities on the ground in areas where an excavator proposes to do work within a fixed period of time, and establishes penalties for violations of the program.

Your Committee finds that comprehensive one call centers have operated successfully for many years in all other states. Hawaii already has such a center, mandated by federal regulation, but it serves only fuel pipeline operators. A comprehensive center that protects all utilities will increase excavating safety and minimize service outages, economic disruptions, and hazards to public safety and health.

Your Committee notes that the effective date is July 1, 2050, and the measure is repealed on December 31, 2050, to facilitate continuing discussion.

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