STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1404-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2479

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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2479 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require each public housing project, dwelling unit, or state low-income housing project that is built, renovated, or reconstructed after January 1, 2023, to include all broadband infrastructure that is necessary for tenants to have access to broadband service.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Hawaii Public Housing Authority; Common Cause Hawaii; AARP Hawai‘i; and Hawaiian Telcom.

Your Committee finds that the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the need for broadband access for all residents in the State. Broadband access has become a necessity for efficient access to basic amenities including health care, education, public safety, commerce, and government services. Access to broadband is also necessary for work and in daily interactions with others. Your Committee further finds that the need for broadband access is especially evident for residents in public housing units where there are limited broadband options. This measure therefore enables multiple broadband providers to offer low-cost options to these residents.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2479, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2479, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair