Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HCR55

Introduced

3/9/22

Refer

3/14/22

Report Pass

3/31/22

Refer

3/31/22

Caption

Requesting The Legislative Reference Bureau To Update A Study On The Feasibility Of Undergrounding The State's Utility Facilities.

Impact

If executed, the updated study will comprehensively assess various statewide issues related to undergrounding, including alternative solutions, legal implications, cost factors, resource allocation, and the overall impact on public safety and quality of life. The emphasis will also be on understanding the impact on property owners and the tourism industry, as well as aesthetic implications and environmental considerations. This multifaceted analysis could significantly influence future legislative decisions regarding utility infrastructure in Hawaii.

Summary

HCR55 is a concurrent resolution that requests the Legislative Reference Bureau of Hawaii to update a previous study on the feasibility of undergrounding the state's utility facilities. Undergrounding refers to the process of replacing overhead electric and telecommunication lines with underground cables. This resolution is notably motivated by community interest in enhancing scenic views, addressing public health concerns, and improving the reliability of utility systems, particularly in light of historical events such as Hurricane Iniki in 1992, which caused significant damage to overhead utilities in Kauai.

Contention

While the resolution opens up important discussions, there may also be areas of contention. There are inherent disadvantages to the undergrounding of utilities, which must also be part of the deliberation. The Legislative Reference Bureau is instructed to review relevant changes in the policies governing utility placements that have occurred since the original report in 1999, indicating a need to reconcile advancements in technology and evolving community standards with the realities of implementing such infrastructural changes.

Latest HCR55 Activity

Companion Bills

HI SCR99

Same As Requesting The Public Utilities Commission To Address Certain Recommendations For Undergrounding The State's Utility Facilities As Outlined In The 1999 Legislative Reference Bureau Report Entitled "undergrounding Public Utility Lines".

Previously Filed As

HI HCR187

Requesting The Legislative Reference Bureau To Conduct A Study On Best Practices For Nurse Staffing In Health Care Facilities.

HI HR167

Requesting The Legislative Reference Bureau To Conduct A Study On Best Practices For Nurse Staffing In Healthcare Facilities.

HI HCR55

Requesting The Legislative Reference Bureau To Conduct A Study To Understand The Implementation Process For A Continuous Legislative Session And Its Relative Impacts On The State.

HI HCR138

Requesting The Legislative Reference Bureau To Conduct A Study Of A Continuous Legislative Session, Extending The Legislative Session, And Adding Additional Recess Days.

HI HCR222

Requesting The Legislative Reference Bureau To Conduct A Study To Examine The Implementation And Standards Of Various Sexual Health Education Policies Within The Department Of Education.

HI SCR51

Requesting The Legislative Reference Bureau To Conduct A Study Of A Continuous Legislative Session, Extending The Legislative Session, And Adding Additional Recess Days.

HI HR202

Requesting The Legislative Reference Bureau To Conduct A Study To Examine The Implementation And Standards Of Various Sexual Health Education Policies Within The Department Of Education.

HI HCR49

Requesting The City And County Of Honolulu To Conduct A Sidewalk Feasibility Study Along Kalihi Street From Kamanaiki Street To Kalihi Valley Park.

HI SCR123

Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Convene A Working Group To Make Recommendations On Solutions To Reduce Wildfire Risk And The Feasibility Of Establishing A Vegetation Management Program As It Relates To Landowners And Public Utilities.

HI HCR182

Requesting The Legislative Reference Bureau To Conduct A Study Of Statutes And Regulations Related To Prior Authorization Requirements And The Timely Delivery Of Health Care Services In The State And Include An Analysis Of Prior Authorization Reform, With Input Of Data And Feedback From Stakeholders, Including Patient Advocates, Providers, Facilities, And Payers.

Similar Bills

HI SCR99

Requesting The Public Utilities Commission To Address Certain Recommendations For Undergrounding The State's Utility Facilities As Outlined In The 1999 Legislative Reference Bureau Report Entitled "undergrounding Public Utility Lines".

HI SCR33

Requesting The Department Of Labor And Industrial Relations To Convene An Interagency Task Force To Combat The Underground Economy And Employee Misclassification In The State's Construction Industry.

HI SR22

Requesting The Department Of Labor And Industrial Relations To Convene An Interagency Task Force To Combat The Underground Economy And Employee Misclassification In The State's Construction Industry.

HI HB2031

Relating To Underground Storage Tanks.

HI HB2030

Relating To The Red Hill Storage Tanks.

HI HR53

Requesting The Department Of Labor And Industrial Relations To Convene An Underground Economy Interagency Task Force To Combat The Underground Economy And Employee Misclassification In The Construction Industry.

HI HCR68

HI HCR6

Requesting The United States Department Of Defense To Prepare A Plan To Decommission The Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, Store Its Fuel Away From The Southern Oahu Basal Aquifer In A Manner Compliant With Federal And State Law, Prepare A Plan To Establish A New Water Treatment Facility, Pay For All Costs To The State, And Comply With All Future Remediation Efforts.