STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1580

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 78

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 78, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION OF HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow public utilities to build high-voltage electric transmission systems without first receiving approval from the Public Utilities Commission if certain conditions are met.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Division of Consumer Advocacy of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaiian Electric Company.

Your Committee finds that this measure will help to streamline the Public Utilities Commission's regulatory process while allowing the Commission to maintain appropriate oversight of public utility operations and investments.

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. 78, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair