STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1546-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.C.R. No. 118

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 118 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO DEVELOP AND ADOPT AN EFFICIENT, STREAMLINED PROCESS FOR REVIEWING ELECTRIC UTILITIES' REQUESTS TO PROVIDE MIDDLE MILE BROADBAND SERVICES IN FURTHERANCE OF THE STATE'S EFFORTS TO EXPEDITE BROADBAND ACCESS AND EQUITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Public Utilities Commission to develop and adopt an efficient, streamlined process for reviewing electric utilities' requests to provide middle mile broadband services, as authorized under section 269-19, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in furtherance of the State's efforts to expedite broadband access and equity.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Public Utilities Commission, Hawaiian Telcom, and Charter Communications.

Your Committee finds that it is vitally important that broadband capacity be developed to reach all communities throughout Hawaii, particularly unserved and underserved areas. This measure is a step in that direction.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifically urging the Public Utilities Commission to develop and adopt an efficient, streamlined process for reviewing electric utilities' requests to provide middle mile broadband services, as authorized under section 269-19, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in furtherance of the State's efforts to promote expeditious broadband deployment to areas of the State that are unserved and underserved;

(2) Amending its title accordingly; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 118, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 118, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair