STAND. COM. REP. 947

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 1647

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 1647, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to provide toll-free telephonic access to time-sensitive information for the blind and visually impaired by:

(1) Authorizing the Universal Service Program within the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to provide such access;

(2) Authorizing funds from the Universal Service Fund to be used to provide such access; and

(3) Appropriating funds from the general revenues of the State for fiscal biennium 2003-2005 to provide such access.

The Hawaii Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii, Six Sense Solutions, and many concerned individuals testified in support of this bill. The Disability and Communication Access Board supported the intent of this measure. Verizon Hawaii supported this bill with amendments. PUC submitted comments.

Your Committee finds that telecommunications services for the blind and visually impaired are not as readily available as relay services for the hearing impaired. In particular, the blind and visually impaired have little access to time-sensitive information such as newspapers. However, the blind and visually impaired do have access to the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Newsline, which provides access to a local newspaper as well as newspapers in other states.

There are currently 256 NFB Newsline users in the State. Access to NFB Newsline was started by private funds and has been maintained by private and federal funds. However, funding is now in jeopardy, even though the cost is minimal. Your Committee strongly believes that this is an essential service for the blind and visually impaired community.

Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1) Removing the provisions pertaining to the Universal Service Program;

(2) Removing the provisions pertaining to the Universal Service Fund;

(3) Removing the general fund appropriation;

(4) Authorizing PUC to restructure telephone rates, charges, and classifications to fund telecommunications services for the blind and visually impaired; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1647, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1647, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services and Housing,

 

____________________________

MICHAEL PUAMAMO KAHIKINA, Chair