STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1977

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     H.B. No. 533

        H.D. 2

        S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 533, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BROADBAND,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to improve broadband accessibility in the State.

 

More specifically, this measure:

 

(1)  Establishes the Broadband Office within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation;

 

(2)  Establishes the position of State Broadband Strategy Officer;

 

(3)  Requires the Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, rather than the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, to convene and chair a Broadband Advisory Council; and

 

(4)  Amends the Council's purpose and membership.

 


     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Cable Television Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Education; Oahu Economic Development Board; Hawaii Technology Development Corporation; and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that broadband access helps to foster economic development, education, health, community building, and civic engagement.  Accordingly, your Committee recognizes the importance of creating a central office to make broadband services readily available throughout the State.

 

     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. 533, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair