STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2032-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.C.R. No. 41

S.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 Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 41, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII BROADBAND AND DIGITAL EQUITY OFFICE TO CONDUCT A DATA MAPPING STUDY TO IDENTIFY GEOGRAPHICALLY UNDERSERVED AND UNSERVED AREAS IN THE STATE THAT LACK QUALITY BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a data mapping study to identify geographically underserved and unserved areas in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committee finds that the State has the responsibility to provide equitable access to broadband internet and service for residents as opportunities continue to arise in the areas of teleworking, distance learning, and telehealth. However, the experiences of Hawaii residents in rural areas, such as Hawaii island, Molokai, and Hana, Maui, demonstrate that the Federal Communications Commission's data maps lack information, data, and geographical knowledge regarding underserved and unserved communities in Hawaii. This measure seeks more accurate data maps to identify and assist areas in the State that are underserved and unserved with quality broadband connectivity.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 41, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair