STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3702

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 6

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.R. No. 6 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII BROADBAND AND DIGITAL EQUITY OFFICE TO PRIORITIZE ACCESS TO BROADBAND SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS THROUGHOUT THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office to prioritize access to broadband services in rural areas throughout the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Disability and Communication Access Board; Common Cause Hawaii; Charter Communications; and Broadband Hui.

Your Committee finds that although broadband coverage in the State is widespread, it is critical to bridge the digital divide in the State through improving access to broadband services for Hawaii's residents, consumers, and businesses, especially those in rural communities.

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 6, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 6, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair