STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2642

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2511

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, 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 address the membership of the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council. 

     More specifically, this measure:

(1)  Includes the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism as a permanent member of the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council;

(2)  Ensures that each county is represented by at least one member on the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council; and

(3)  Authorizes the chair of the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council to designate ad hoc members of the Council.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Cable Television Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

     Your Committee finds that the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council was established by the Legislature in 2010.  The Council is tasked with advising the Director 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 the State. 

     The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism has a significant interest in expanding broadband access and use across the State.  Additionally, the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism regularly communicates with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs about broadband development activities and how to facilitate broadband access and use.  Your Committee believes that including the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism on the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council will provide the Council with an additional crucial and knowledgeable perspective.

     Your Committee also finds that expanding broadband access and use must be encouraged in each county.  Requiring each county to be represented on the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council ensures that an advocate for each county's broadband needs is included in the Council's discussions.  Additionally, allowing the chair of the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council to designate certain persons as ad hoc members encourages community involvement and will provide the Council with supplementary expertise.

     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 S.B. No. 2511 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