HCR295

WHEREAS, in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Congress directed the Federal Communications Commission and state regulatory commissions to "encourage the deployment on a reasonable and timely basis of advanced telecommunications capability to all Americans"; and

WHEREAS, universal access to broadband Internet services has been touted as a vital economic engine for the nation, an essential vehicle for enhanced learning and medicine, and a critical element of the news and entertainment industries; and

WHEREAS, removing barriers against broadband deployment by using a technology-neutral approach will encourage lower prices for broadband services and create more consumer choices; and

WHEREAS, deploying broadband networks and advanced communication services throughout Hawaii are essential for the State to keep pace with global changes in economic diversification, energy and environmental technology, healthcare, public safety, and education; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's enterprises do not have access to the types of low-cost, high-capacity digital transport services, such as dark fiber or wavelength services, which are increasingly available in communities concerned about advanced affordable services; and

WHEREAS, state action is needed to support investment in, stimulate the adoption of, and remove potential barriers to the development and availability of world-class and universally accessible broadband networks in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, state action is also needed to expand access to state-of-the-art technologies for Hawaii residents living in rural or low-income areas or with a disability; and

WHEREAS, increasing Hawaii's access to and use of broadband networks and advanced communication services can enhance government operations, telemedicine for healthcare, and distance learning for education while increasing business opportunities and economic diversification; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the Senate concurring, that the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Taxation and the House Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns convene a Hawaii Broadband Task Force to remove barriers to broadband access, including gaining wider access to public rights-of-way; identify opportunities for increased broadband deployment and adoption, including very high speed broadband services; and enable the creation and deployment of new advanced communication technologies in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall consult with the Department of Accounting and General Services, the Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to carry out the objectives of the task force; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force include, but are not limited to:

(1) Representatives from federal, state, and county government entities having a role in infrastructure deployment; management of public rights-of-way, regulation, and franchising; information technology; and economic development;

(2) Representatives from Hawaii's private sector technology, telecommunication, and investment industries; and

(3) Representatives of nonprofit organizations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to:

(1) Identify actions that will produce increased investment in and the availability of advanced broadband capabilities at more affordable costs by using new approaches to broadband deployment, including through increased access to public rights-of-way and shared fiber infrastructure;

(2) Identify administrative actions that will promote broadband access and usage within the State;

(3) Make specific recommendations on how Hawaii can leverage federal, state, and international opportunities for and eliminate any related barriers to broadband access and adoption;

(4) Focus special attention on how broadband can be used to substantially benefit educational institutions, healthcare institutions, community-based organizations, and governmental institutions;

(5) Consult with public and private stakeholders to coordinate statewide efforts to obtain and maximize loan funding available for broadband deployment and development projects in the State;

(6) Consult with private sector stakeholders to leverage opportunities to increase investments in state-of-the-art technologies, and new approaches to advancing capabilities at reduced costs;

(7) Identify best practices to establish a database that identifies current and prospective projects for deploying broadband;

(8) Encourage all state and county agencies to lead by example by obtaining the necessary equipment for broadband usage and have full access to broadband service; and

(9) Encourage all state and county agencies to study the feasibility of and utilize various services that broadband provides such as streaming video technologies to broadcast public meetings over the Internet, videoconferencing, wireless Internet access in state and county facilities that are most used by the public, and the deployment of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP);

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Taxation; the Chairperson of the House Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns; each member of Hawaii's Congressional delegation; Comptroller; the Division Head of the Information and Communication Services Division; Department of Accounting and General Services; the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission; and the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Broadband Deployment and Access; Task Force

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	295
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII