STAND. COM. REP. NO. 773

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 947

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 947, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

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

More specifically, this measure establishes the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office and requires it to, among other things:

(1) Develop and implement specific strategies and plans to aggressively increase broadband affordability, penetration, and competitive availability in the State;

(2) Work closely with and assist the counties to promote coordinated state and county broadband planning; and

(3) Promote, advocate, and facilitate the implementation of the findings and recommendations of the Hawaii Broadband Task Force established by Act 2, First Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2007.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Human Services; AARP Hawaii; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Hawaii Broadband Hui; Transform Hawaii Government; Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; and two individuals.

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs submitted written comments on the measure.

Your Committee finds that the establishment of a Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office will help the State work toward ensuring that all individuals and communities have the necessary information technology capacity to fully participate in society, democracy, and the economy.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 947, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 947, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair