STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3365

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2473

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2473, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for fiscal year 2008-2009 to allow the Hawaii Broadband Task Force to continue its mission.

     The Hawaii Broadband Task Force submitted testimony in support of this measure.

     The Hawaii Broadband Task Force was established by Act 2, First Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2007, to remove barriers to broadband access and identify actions that will increase investment in and the availability of advanced broadband capabilities at more affordable costs.  Your Committee finds that broadband networks and advanced communication services are essential for the State to keep pace with global changes in economic diversification, energy and environmental technology, healthcare, public safety, and education.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriation for fiscal year 2008‑2009 to an unspecified amount; and

     (2)  Making the Act effective on July 1, 2008.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2473, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2473, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair