Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1637 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to make an appropriation for the public library system to fund a program to increase electronic access to government information and services in areas with limited access.

Your Committee received supporting testimony from the State Librarian and a former librarian.

Public libraries in the United States have been the backbone of self education and lifelong learning. It is a basic premise that an educated and informed electorate is a country's strongest asset. Now public libraries serve other purposes including bringing the electronic age to many individuals who cannot afford a personal computer at home. The computer brings the world of the internet, email, and information on myriad subjects to individuals. This bill is intended to increase electronic access so Hawaii's residents can have access to government services, library services, and perhaps other uses, at places other than a public library.

Your Committee has amended this bill by appropriating $500,000 in place of the previously unspecified amount.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1637, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1637, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.