STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1514

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1282

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1282, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to establish a laser optical communications ground station in the State in partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.   

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Cable Television Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems; and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has begun to develop innovative technology to support laser optical communications to replace radio frequency between spacecraft and Earth.  The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's detailed statistical analysis of weather patterns determined that Hawaii is the best location for the first operational laser communications station, which is scheduled to be established in approximately 2020.  Your Committee believes that this station will provide multiple opportunities for high-technology jobs in the State and substantial improvements in broadband and optical fiber infrastructure.  Your Committee further finds that transmitting data through laser rather than radio frequency aligns with the State's interests in broadband communications technologies.

     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. 1282, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair