THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

96

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the United States Congress to support continued funding of the Affordable Connectivity Program.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii continues to support efforts to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program, the successor program to the Emergency Broadband Benefit, to continue providing Hawaii residents with access to affordable broadband services; and

 

     WHEREAS, the United States Congress assigned the Federal Communications Commission to administer the Affordable Connectivity Program, which helped almost nine million households to afford internet access during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic; and

 

     WHEREAS, under the Affordable Connectivity Program, eligible households on qualifying tribal lands receive a discount of up to $75 per month for broadband services while other eligible households may receive a discount of up to $30 per month on broadband services; and

 

     WHEREAS, eligible households may also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers; and

 

     WHEREAS, in areas of the State in which broadband is available, the Affordable Connectivity Program allows subscribers to afford internet speeds and devices sufficient for key online activities, such as at-home learning, health care, banking, and public services; and

 

     WHEREAS, in areas of the State in which broadband is not available, the Affordable Connectivity Program incentivizes the deployment of new broadband infrastructure; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State also receives funding through the Affordable Connectivity Program to develop, implement, and improve broadband infrastructure, provide devices to certain residents, and promote the adoption of technology in areas of the State that have fewer broadband service opportunities; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Affordable Connectivity Program catalyzes economic growth, workforce development, and innovation in the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, thousands of Hawaii residents benefit from the Affordable Connectivity Program, but they are at risk of losing broadband service in 2024 if the United States Congress does not fund an extension of the program; and

 

     WHEREAS, allowing the Affordable Connectivity Program to end will be a great disservice to those who rely on the program to access vital online services and resources; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, the House of Representatives concurring, that the United States Congress is urged to support continued funding of the Affordable Connectivity Program to ensure that low-income households in the State may continue to access vital online services and resources; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, Majority Leader of the United States Senate, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and members of Hawaii's congressional delegation.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

United States Congress; Affordable Connectivity Program; Extension