Bill > HCR55

This Concurrent Resolution requests the Legislative Reference Bureau, a state agency that provides research and legal services to the legislature, to update a previous 1999 study on the feasibility of undergrounding the state's utility facilities, which involves burying electric and telecommunication lines and equipment to improve scenic views, reduce storm damage, and enhance reliability, as demonstrated by the widespread power outages after Hurricane Iniki in 1992. The updated study should consider various statewide issues such as costs, land use, public safety, technological advancements, and impacts on property owners and the tourism industry, as well as any changes in relevant laws and policies since the original report. The Bureau is also asked to provide recommendations on how the legislature should evaluate undergrounding projects, suggest potential interagency planning groups, and outline methods for gathering input from the public and various stakeholders, including utility companies, government agencies, and community organizations, with the final report due before the 2024 legislative session.