STAND. COM. REP. NO. 519

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 760

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 760 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)  Support the implementation of wireless technology, such as small wireless facilities, to support broadband technology in the State;

     (2)  Codify the exemptions to permitting requirements established in Act 151, Session Laws of Hawaii 2011, and codified within the Hawaii Revised Statutes and expand those exemptions to include broadband over wireless or mobile platforms, including small wireless facilities;

     (3)  Establish a definition of wireless communications antennas that includes small wireless facilities; and

     (4)  Repeal those sections of Act 151, Session Laws of Hawaii 2011, that have been codified within the Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Office of Planning; AT&T; CTIA; Hawaiian Telcom; Mobilitie; and Verizon Communications.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Cable Television Division.

     Your Committee finds that the implementation of wireless technology, such as small wireless facilities, will play a major role in continuing the benefits afforded by broadband infrastructure in Hawaii.  Your Committee finds that Hawaii consumers and businesses consistently rely on the usage of wireless devices and that access to broadband has the potential to expand economic and innovative development in the State.  Your Committee further finds that expediting the installation of small wireless facilities will help Hawaii maintain the broadband capacity needed to remain economically competitive.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding the term "wire line" to coincide with the term wireless;

     (2)  Adding a definition of the term "wire line";

     (3)  Deleting section 5, which will then allow for all definitions in section 440J-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to apply to the entire chapter 440J, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 760, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 760, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health and Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair