Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Economic Development and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 1404 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Hawaii State Public Library System to fund a program to increase electronic access to government information and services in areas with limited access.

Your Committees heard testimony in support of the measure from the State Librarian and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Your Committees find that eHawaiigov now gives Hawaii's residents access to government services, including library services. Because it is Internet-based, however, access is only available in libraries, schools, homes, and offices. The program proposed by this measure would broaden access to rural, low income, and other traditionally under-served communities, through such innovative means as electronic kiosks in grocery stores and shopping malls. Such an initiative would help lessen the "digital divide," the oft-mentioned gulf between the technology haves and have-nots. It would also position Hawaii at the forefront of the burgeoning field of egovernment.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Economic Development and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1404 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.