STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2198

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2793

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development, Environment, and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 2793 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BROADBAND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Extend, until June 30, 2023, the provisions of Act 264, Session Laws of Hawaii 2013 (Act 264), which establishes deadlines for certain actions of the State and the counties relating to broadband-related permits, facilities, and weight load for utility poles; and

     (2)  Extend, until January 1, 2022, exemptions from certain state and county requirements for actions relating to the installation, improvement, construction, or development of infrastructure relating to broadband service or broadband technology.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Cable Television Division; Hawaiian Telcom; Hawaiian Electric Companies; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; and Oceanic Time Warner Cable.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee finds that improvement in the efficiencies of the broadband-related permitting process allows for greater private sector participation and increased competition in Hawaii's broadband sector.  Increased broadband capacity is necessary for the State to enable rapid access to information, accelerate business development, connect first responders more efficiently, create telehealth opportunities for the healthcare industry, enhance educational resources, improve telecommunications and telecommuting, and enable smart grid technology.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by removing the extension of the exemption provisions for certain actions relating to broadband infrastructure.

     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. 2793, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2793, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development, Environment, and Technology,

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair