STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1741

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.C.R. No. 295

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 295 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO CONVENE A HAWAII BROADBAND TASK FORCE TO EXPAND BROADBAND ACCESS AND USAGE IN HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to provide the infrastructure necessary to enhance government services and grow Hawaii's economy, by convening a Hawaii broadband task force to expand broadband Internet access and usage in Hawaii.

     The University of Hawaii System supported this concurrent resolution.  The Department of Accounting and General Services and Hawaiian Telcom provided comments.

     Your Committee finds that statewide broadband Internet capability and access are essential if Hawaii is to fully participate in and enjoy the social and economic benefits of the information revolution.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 295 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Legislative Management.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair