STAND. COM. REP. NO.  224

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.B. No. 1014

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred H.B. No. 1014 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to establish a single entity to coordinate enhanced 911 services beyond wireless telephone service.  This bill expands the focus of the Wireless Enhanced 911 Board by:

(1)  Re-naming it the Enhanced 911 Board (Board); and

(2)  Broadening the representation on the Board to include representatives from the Public Utilities Commission, interconnected voice over Internet protocol device providers, and the common local exchange carrier or other alternative communications service providers.

     This bill also eases the cost burden on wireless phone customers by reducing the monthly enhanced 911 surcharge from 66 cents to 46 cents.  This surcharge also applies to wireline access communications service connections.

     The Department of Accounting and General Services testified in support of this bill.  Hawaiian Telcom and AT&T offered comments.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this bill by replacing its provisions with language that:

(1)  Reduces the monthly wireless enhanced 911 surcharge from 66 cents to 29 cents;

(2)  Expands the use of the Wireless Enhanced 911 Fund to include cost recovery for improvements and maintenance of phase I and II wireless enhanced 911 service as well as costs expended by the wireline provider for such purposes; and

(3)  Prohibits any conflicts of interest by those hired by the Wireless Enhanced 911 Board to perform various administrative duties.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1014, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1014, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,

____________________________

FAYE HANOHANO, Chair