STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1094

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 550

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 550, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELEVISION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Auditor to analyze the allocation of cable operator franchise fees and to review the reports of the financial, technical, and operational condition of Olelo Community Television.

 

     Specifically, the measure would require the Auditor to:

 

     (1)  Review the allocation of fees to public, educational, and government access organizations; the Hawaii Public Television Foundation; and the cable television division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to determine the basis and rationale for the allocations; and

 

     (2)  Review the reports submitted by Olelo Community Television, pursuant to section 440G-14, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and the most recent independent third party review of Olelo Community Television to determine whether the reports currently required by statute are sufficient to enable effective oversight. 

 

     Your Committee received comments in support of this measure from Everett Kaneshige, Deputy Director, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

 

     Your Committee finds that in these economically challenging times, the State should ensure that cable operator franchise fee revenues and tax dollars are spent as prudently and effectively as possible.  Further, your Committee finds that this measure will help to ensure that the State is able to provide effective oversight of Olelo Community Television.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 550, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair