Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology and Transportation and Government Operations, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 77 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Accounting and General Services to conduct a study of the feasibility of installing a wireless fidelity (WiFi) internet system in the State Capitol.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Verizon Hawaii and University of Hawaii. Your Committees also received comments regarding this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services.

Your Committees believe that installing a wireless fidelity internet network at the State Capitol would provide access to additional information for legislators and legislative staff in the chamber and their offices. A WiFi network also would give private citizens, journalists, and lobbyists the capacity to track bill status and committee updates when at the Capitol awaiting hearings or meetings with legislators, while providing them with access to business and family matters via e-mail. Other state legislatures have successfully initiated WiFi pilot projects within their state capitols through third-party service providers, and it appears that considerable information on their experiences is available. The requested feasibility study will furnish lawmakers with information on the costs, accessibility, compatibility with existing computer networks, and security associated with installing a wireless fidelity internet network.

Your Committees have amended this measure to request the Department of Accounting and General Services to consult the Clerks of both chambers on the wireless fidelity needs of the Legislature and to invite the participation, guidance, and recommendations of the University of Hawaii, Verizon Hawaii, and other third-party internet service providers.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology and Transportation and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 77, as amended herein, recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 77, S.D. 1.