STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2153
Honolulu, Hawaii
President of the Senate
Twenty-Eighth State Legislature
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Economic Development, Environment, and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 2511 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to:
(1) Make the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism a member of the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council;
(2) Ensure that each of the counties are represented on the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council; and
(3) Authorize the Chairperson of the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council to include representatives of other interested public or private sector organizations on an ad hoc basis as members of the advisory council or the work groups of the advisory council.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and Cable Television Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
Your Committee finds that the need for broadband services has continued to grow and that broadband service has become an essential infrastructure for society in the twenty-first century. The Broadband Assistance Advisory Council advises the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs on policy and funding priorities to promote and encourage the use of telework alternatives for public and private employees and to expedite the development of affordable and accessible broadband services in Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that the membership of the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council does not include representation from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, every county, or other interested public or private sector organizations and that inclusion of these other parties would enhance the advisory council in its ability to advise on broadband-related policy for the entire State.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development, Environment, and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2511 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development, Environment, and Technology,
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________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair |
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