STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1321-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2214

S.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2214, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DIGITAL LITERACY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Board of Education, through the State Librarian, to establish a Digital Literacy Program for public libraries in the State to promote digital literacy through programmatic activities, including making digital technology accessible to individuals with disabilities; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the establishment and administration of the Digital Literacy Program, including to fund one full-time equivalent position within the Hawaii State Public Library System to administer the Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii State Public Library System; Department of Research and Development Management of the County of Hawaii; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawai‘i Pacific Health; Pa‘akai Communications; Transform Hawaii Government; LearningBond; Kauai Economic Development Board; Skog Rasmussen LLC; Banyan Networks; Auamo Collaborative; Kamehameha Schools; O‘ahu County Democrats Digital Equity Committee; Tangent Inc.; Maui Chamber of Commerce; W. M. Keck Observatory; Succeed Hawaii, LLC; ‘A‘ali‘i Alliance; Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii; and nine individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that digital literacy skills are crucial for career success in the twenty-first century. Your Committee notes that while digitization offers advantages to digitally literate individuals, it also increases barriers for members of the public who lack digital skills. Your Committee further finds that the establishment of a digital literacy program within the public library system will increase digital literacy among members of the public and raise their competitiveness in an economy defined by the ability to use digital tools.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2214, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair