THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3212
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to telecommunication.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that providing equitable access to the legislative process for nearly 450,000 residents on the neighbor islands is a priority to improving the function of the legislative process at the Capitol. With the rising costs of airfare and lodging, providing designated locations or state offices on neighbor islands where citizens can participate remotely in the legislative process will help reduce the financial burden of traveling to O‘ahu. The legislature further finds that providing access for residents to participate in the legislative process is a basic right of citizenship in the State and should continue to be a priority.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the office of enterprise technology services to convene a working group to identify state office buildings that may be used to increase access to legislative hearings for neighbor island and rural O‘ahu residents, including residents with disabilities.

SECTION 2. (a) The office of enterprise technology services shall establish a working group to conduct a study to identify state office buildings that are able to provide equitable telecommunication access to allow residents of the counties of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i, and Maui, and residents of rural areas in the city and county of Honolulu, including residents with disabilities, to participate remotely in legislative hearings.

(b) Members of the working group shall include, at a minimum, representatives from each county and from the department of accounting and general services, department of education, and University of Hawai‘i system, and a person with a communication disability.

(c) The working group shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2023.

(d) The working group shall dissolve on June 30, 2023.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Office of Enterprise Technology Services; Study; State Office Buildings; Telecommunication; Accessibility; Legislative Hearings

Description:

Requires the Office of Enterprise Technology Services to establish a working group to conduct a study to identify state office buildings that can provide equitable telecommunication access to allow residents of the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui, and rural areas of the City and County of Honolulu, including residents with disabilities, to participate remotely in legislative hearings. Requires a report to the Legislature. Dissolves the working group on 6/30/2023.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.