Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 1647, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to restructure telephone rates, charges, and classifications to fund telecommunications services for the blind and visually impaired.

Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii and several individuals submitted testimony in support of this bill. The Disability and Communication Access Board submitted testimony in support of the intent of this bill. PUC, Verizon Hawaii, and an individual submitted testimony in opposition to this bill. The Consumer Advocate and an individual submitted comments on this bill.

Your Committee has amended this bill by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1647, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1647, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.