STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1698

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.R. No. 211

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.R. No. 211 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING A STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PROCESS ON PUBLIC EDUCATION AND GOVERNMENT ACCESS TELEVISION STATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to request that the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) study the legality, effectiveness, and appropriateness of the imposition of the procurement process on public education and government cable television stations (PEG access stations).

     Further, that LRB consider the feasibility and potential effectiveness of enacting and implementing alternative regulatory frameworks for PEG access in Hawaii.

     Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the CEO of Akaku Community Television, the Chairman of the Board for Akaku Maui County Community Television, an Akaku Board Member, the President and CEO of ‘Ōlelo Community Television, the Secretary of the Community Media Producers Association, and various individuals.

     The Comptroller of the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Acting Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau submitted testimony in opposition to this resolution.

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce also respectfully requests that the Legislative Management Committee in its review of this measure carefully consider whether the procurement process is applicable to PEG television stations.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 211 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Legislative Management.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair