2972

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS, Placing of high voltage power transmission
lines underground is a technologically feasible means for
reducing residential exposure to ultra—low frequency
electromagnetic fields; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, and the
Acting Governor are requested to appoint a Commission for
the Review of the Siting of Power Transmission Lines. The
Speaker, the President, and the Acting Governor shall each
appoint five members, at least one and not more than two of
whom shall be selected from nominees submitted by the
electric utilities of Maryland. The Commission shall elect
its Chairman and receive staff support from the Department
of Legislative Reference. The Commission shall receive no
salary; however, reasonable expenses shall be paid in
accordance with the standard practice of the State of
Maryland. The Commission is charged to explore the public
health risks of residing near high voltage power
transmission corridors, to assess the impact to property
values of routing overhead transmission corridors through
residential communities, and to examine the benefits and
costs of placing high voltage lines underground in populated
areas. The Commission shall submit its report and
recommendations for legislation, if any, to the Acting
Governor and to each member of the General Assembly no later
than January 1, 1979; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be sent to the
Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, and the
Acting Governor.

Approved May 16, 1978.

No. 33

(House Joint Resolution 49)

A House Joint Resolution concerning

Telephone Equipment — Hearing Aid Devices

FOR the purpose of requesting State, county, and municipal
governments to prohibit telephone companies from
installing in State, county, and municipal properties
and facilities certain telephone equipment which
prevents persons with hearing aid devices from making
use of the telephone.

In the recent past, the State of Maryland has
enunciated the cherished goal of equal opportunity for