STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1022

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 947

S.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was referred S.B. No. 947, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A BROADBAND AND DIGITAL EQUITY OFFICE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Human Services; Department of Transportation; Department of Research and Development for the County of Hawaii; AARP Hawai‘i; Hawaii Broadband Hui; and Hawai‘i Primary Care Association. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Your Committee finds that it is critical to improve access to broadband services for residents throughout the State. This measure will establish a Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office to develop and support increased access to these vital technologies to further enhance economic development, education, health care, and emergency services.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 947, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development,

____________________________

SEAN QUINLAN, Chair