HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

933

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PRINT DISABILITIES.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the public utilities commission has a duty and obligation to obtain and maintain access to a basic set of essential telecommunications services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the public utilities commission to provide free telecommunications access to certain information for persons with a print disability through use of the universal service fund.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§269-     Universal service program; access for individuals with print disabilities.  (a)  The public utilities commission shall, as authorized by the legislature, use available funds from the universal service fund established pursuant to section 269-42 to provide free telecommunications access to time-sensitive information, including but not limited to state and local government information, public notices, emergency alerts, job opportunities, daily newspapers, and other content, to allow individuals with a print disability to access information and services; provided that the amount of funds withdrawn from the universal service fund shall not exceed $          .  The telecommunications access shall be configured to be accessible to and usable by persons with print disabilities.

     (b)  The public utilities commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to implement this section."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to provide free telecommunications access to certain information for persons with a print disability.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the public utilities commission for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

 

 

 

Report Title:

Deaf and Blind Task Force; Public Utilities Commission; Print Disabilities; Telecommunications Access; Universal Service Program; Universal Service Fund; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the public utilities commission to use universal service fund moneys to provide free telecommunications access to certain information for individuals with a print disability.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD2)

 

 

 

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