STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2233

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2958

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 2958 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENHANCED 911 SERVICES FOR MOBILE PHONES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to implement statewide wireless enhanced 911 services at reduced expense to the public by reducing the surcharge imposed on every commercial mobile radio service connection for the Wireless Enhanced 911 Fund.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Accounting and General Services.

     Wireless enhanced 911 services are available through all carriers on all islands, except for the island of Molokai, which has one wireless carrier remaining to be implemented.  The amount of funds required to implement phases I and II of the wireless enhanced 911 services is less than originally forecasted.  Because certain wireless service providers have chosen not to seek reimbursement for wireless 911 deployment costs from the Wireless Enhanced 911 Fund, your Committee finds that reducing the surcharge imposed on every commercial mobile radio service connection will reimburse the public.  Your Committee notes that the reduction in the surcharge amount will take into account the amount of funds needed to complete statewide deployment, operate, and maintain the wireless enhanced 911 systems, and allow for future enhancements to the system due to technological advancements.

     Thus, your Committee has only amended this measure to make technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2958, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2958, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing,

____________________________

RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair