STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1455

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 752

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 752, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Comptroller to identify state office buildings that can provide equitable telecommunication access to allow residents on the neighbor islands and rural areas of Oahu and residents with disabilities to participate remotely in legislative hearings; and

(2) Require a report to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services.

Your Committee finds that providing designated locations on the neighbor islands and in rural Oahu where residents can participate remotely in the state legislative process will help to address the rural-urban digital divide and the resulting financial burden of participation. This measure will also facilitate the inclusion of individuals with disabilities by providing additional alternatives for remote participation.

Your Committee notes the written testimony received from the Comptroller, that existing libraries may already have the requisite infrastructure, resources, and support to accomplish the telecommunication access goals of this measure. Your Committee further notes that existing public schools, within a community school model, may also offer potential sites for telecommunication access for those wishing to participate remotely in the legislative process.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 752, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 752, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

AMY A. PERRUSO, Chair