RELATING TO INFRASTRUCTURE.

HB2479

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2479

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO INFRASTRUCTURE
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
The
legislature finds that in 2025, the American Society of Civil Engineers
released their infrastructure report card, in which the state received an
overall grade of a D+.
�
This grade
demonstrates the lack of improvement to Hawaii infrastructure, as the state
received the same grade in 2019.
�
Most of
Hawaii's infrastructure was built between sixty to one hundred years ago, which
was not intended to have lasted this long.
�
These delayed maintenance and improvements are
posing a threat and danger to many communities across the state.

For
communities, such as Wai
ʻ
anae,
who continue to experience growth and developments, there is generated additional
demand for water, sewage, recycling, solid water disposal services,
communication, electricity, and other utility systems.
�
A lack of infrastructure readiness can hinder
new developments and lead to increased costs for emergency repairs.
�
There is a need for information on the utility
providers' ability to meet current and future demands.
�
This is essential to proactive maintenance,
which can minimize long-term repair costs, extend asset life, and reduce safety
risks.
�
It is crucial to have such data
publicly available and updated for responsible community planning and
dependable utility services.

Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act
is to require the Public Utility Commission to develop a temporary working
group to study
the current capacity of utility services, the expected
lifespan of existing coastline infrastructure, and the financial implications
of necessary expansions.

SECTION 2.
�
(a)
�

There is established a temporary working group within the public utility
commission to study
the current capacity of utility
services, the expected lifespan of existing coastline utility infrastructure,
and the financial implications of necessary expansions in counties with
populations exceeding five hundred thousand.
�
The members of the working group shall
include:

����
(1)
�
The chairperson of the public utilities commission,
or the chairperson's designee;

����
(2)
�
The president and chief executive officer of
Charter Communications, or their designee;

����
(3)
�
Honolulu city councilmember representing district
1, or their designee;

����
(4)
�
One representative of a telecommunications
carrier;

����
(5)
�
One member from each electric utility
operating in the county;

����
(6)
�
The chair of the Honolulu board of water supply,
or their designee;

����
(7)
�
A representative of the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1260; and

����
(8)
�
The director of the city and county of
Honolulu department of environmental services, or their designee.

����
(c)
�
The working group may invite to serve on the
working group any other persons whom the working group believes have expertise
that would be helpful in fulfilling the working group's duties pursuant to
subsection (d).

����
(d)
�
The working group shall:

����
(1)
�
Develop
an assessment of the current capacity of existing infrastructure and actual
demand;

����
(2)
�
Develop an assessment of infrastructure
nearing or at the end of their expected operational lifespan;

����
(3)
�
Analyze the financial impact and necessary costs
for expanding infrastructure to accommodate projected coastline community
growth;

����
(4)
�
Identify any existing plans for upgrades,
including expected timelines and projected impacts on the community;

����
(5)
�
Identify any information on budget
allocations, potential funding gaps, and any anticipated rate increases to
support expansion efforts; and

����
(6)
�
Review whether approved permits have imposed
an unreasonable strain on infrastructure capacity and whether any mitigation
efforts are necessary to restore sufficient capacity.

����
(e)
�
The county shall consider the report from the
task force and the impact to infrastructure capacity prior to issuing any new
permits.

����
SECTION 3.

�
The working group shall submit a report
of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the
legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular
session of 2027.

����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Working
Group; Public Utility Commission; Report; Utility Infrastructure; Study

Description:

Establishes
a temporary working group to
study the current capacity of state utility
services, the expected lifespan of existing coastline utility infrastructure,
and the financial implications of necessary expansions.

�
Requires a report to the
Legislature.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.