CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 168-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2144

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 2144, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTRONIC INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to require the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, in consultation with the Disability and Communication Access Board and a working group comprised of stakeholders, to develop and publish, and periodically review and update, electronic information technology accessibility standards to be implemented by all state entities.

Your Committee on Conference finds that electronic information technology has rapidly replaced conventional printed communications in various areas, including employment, education, and public services. This measure will help the State meet its digital equity goals by ensuring that all electronic information, programs, and services offered by the State are accessible to individuals with a disability at consistent levels across all state entities.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Making it effective upon its approval; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2144, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2144, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ RYAN I. YAMANE Co-Chair	____________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA Chair
____________________________ GREGG TAKAYAMA Co-Chair	____________________________ SHARON MORIWAKI Co-Chair
____________________________ ADRIAN K. TAM Co-Chair	____________________________ MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO Co-Chair