HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5275

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Energy & Utilities (originally sponsored by Senators Lee and Talmadge)

Regulating high voltage fields.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment. (8)

      Signed by Representatives Nelson, Chair; Todd, Vice Chair; Hankins, Ranking Republican Member; Cooper, Gallagher, Jesernig, R. Meyers and H. Myers.

Minority Report:  Do not pass. (2)

      Signed by Representatives Brooks and May.

House Staff:Fred Adair (786-7113)

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended by Committee on Energy & Utilities and as further amended by Committee on Appropriations.  (16)

      Signed by Representatives Grant, Vice Chair; H. Sommers, Vice Chair; Appelwick, Brekke, Bristow, Dorn, Hine, Nealey, Peery, Rust, Sayan, Spanel, Sprenkle, Valle, Wang and Wineberry.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Youngsman, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Belcher, Bowman, Brough, Ferguson, May and McLean.

House Staff:      Sherie Story (786-7136)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 6, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Concern is developing over the health effects of high voltage electric and magnetic fields.  These fields are commonly found with high voltage transmission lines, in other places in the electrical distribution system, in homes around electric appliances, and in some work places.  Some concerned citizen groups have sought a moratorium on construction of new high voltage transmission lines or that the lines be placed underground until further research is done into the possible health effects.

Many research projects are ongoing or have been recently completed in this field.

SUMMARY:

The Institute for Public Policy shall review studies on the effects of high voltage electric and magnetic fields.  It shall report to the Legislature on its findings and identify high-priority research projects that need to be undertaken.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Energy & Utilities) Senators Lee and Talmadge, sponsors; Paul Manley, Virginia Wilhelmi and Fred Miller, Citizens Against Overhead Power Lines and Highline Community Council.

(Appropriations) None Presented.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Energy & Utilities) None Presented.

(Appropriations) None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Energy & Utilities) There have been numerous studies pointing toward possible adverse health effects from electric and magnetic fields, especially those connected with high voltage transmission lines.  Potential hazard may exist for both humans and livestock.  Transmission lines are safer underground.

(Appropriations) None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Energy & Utilities) None Presented.

(Appropriations) None Presented.