STAND. COM. REP. NO.  851-12

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2526

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2526, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND CABLE TELEVISION PROVIDERS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to expand the availability of broadband internet access for Hawaii consumers by:

 

     (1)  Requiring cable operators, telecommunications carriers, and telecommunications common carriers that provide broadband internet service to submit to Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) periodic informational reports that contain specified information, such as the availability and pricing of broadband service over the most recent 30-day period, detailed by the address or tax map key number of their customers, without any other personal or private information; and

 

     (2)  Providing for the confidentiality of the information submitted by such telecommunications providers to DCCA.

 

     The Office of the Governor; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; DCCA; and one individual testified in support of this measure.  Verizon, AT&T, and Hawaiian Telcom testified in opposition to this measure.  Oceanic Time Warner Cable and tw telecom of hawaii lp provided comments.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Adding a definition of "broadband speed threshold";

 

     (2)  Requiring informational reporting to include the monthly price charged for broadband services if purchased individually without any discounts; and

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2526, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2526, H.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair