Authorizes the Public Utilities COmmission to collect fees to fund telecommunications services for the blind and visually impaired. (SB1647 HD2)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that it is the policy of the State to protect and advance the public interest by having appropriate and efficient telecommunications services available to all persons of the State. It is in the public interest to provide universal access to and encourage the further development of the State's telecommunications services, thereby enhancing the quality of life, ensuring a high standard of public health and safety, and allowing citizens to participate more fully in their community and government.

The legislature finds that telecommunications services are particularly important to individuals who are blind or visually impaired as a means by which these individuals can access vital knowledge and information and participate more fully in the political, social, cultural, and economic mainstream. Thousands of Hawaii residents have disabilities that prevent them from directly accessing conventional print material due to visual impairments, dyslexia, and orthopedic and other impairments that prevent the physical manipulation of print materials. For decades, there have been governmental and nonprofit organizations dedicated to providing access to reading materials on a wide variety of subjects by way of braille, large print, or audio tape recordings. However, it is not economically feasible to provide access to time-sensitive, local, or regional publications through these traditional means and formats.

The legislature finds that the lack of direct and prompt access to materials such as newspapers, magazines, newsletters, broadcast media schedules, and other time-sensitive materials has a detrimental effect on the educational prospects, literacy, and opportunity for full participation in governmental and community forums of people with print disabilities.

In response to this need, the National Federation of the Blind, an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, developed NFB-NEWSLINE (Newsline), a telephonic reading service that uses high technology systems to provide access to previously inaccessible material through telecommunications. By making a toll-free telephone call, Newsline subscribers can hear a computer-generated voice reading today's newspapers and other time-sensitive materials.

The legislature further finds that Newsline serves the informational needs of blind and visually impaired citizens. The Newsline service has been available to Hawaii residents who are blind or visually impaired since 2000. All of the subscribers meet the criteria to receive services from the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Over two hundred Hawaii residents subscribe to the Newsline service, which uses existing telecommunications systems to provide them with access to daily newspapers and other time-sensitive materials. Although start-up costs were covered by a combination of federal demonstration grant and private grant funding, those sources of funding will no longer be available. Absent new funding, this service will likely be discontinued.

Accordingly, it is the purpose of this Act to authorize the public utilities commission to assess fees to continue toll-free statewide access to the Newsline service furnished by the National Federation of the Blind.

SECTION 2. Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§269- Telecommunications services for the blind and visually impaired. The commission is authorized to restructure telephone rates, charges, and classifications for purposes of providing or funding telecommunications services for the blind and visually impaired."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2010.