STAND. COM. REP. NO.  83-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2543

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2543 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BROADBAND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to enhance access to broadband internet by extending for five years the provisions of Act 151, Session Laws of Hawaii 2011, and Act 264, Session Laws of Hawaii 2013, which expedite the approval process for broadband-related permit applications and exempt the installation, improvement, construction, or development of broadband infrastructure from most county and state permitting and approval requirements.

The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Hawaiian Telcom; Hawaiian Electric Company; Maui Electric Company; Hawai‘i Electric Light Company; and The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii supported this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2543 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair