CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 56-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2359

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the House of Representatives to the amendments proposed by the Senate in H.B. No. 2359, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII BROADBAND AND DIGITAL EQUITY OFFICE,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Digital Equity Grant Program to award grants to deploy digital equity projects to covered populations in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Expanding the types of projects that may be eligible for grants to include broadband service subscription costs, wifi routers, and access points; and

(2) Changing the effective date to upon approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2359, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2359, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

____________________________ LYNN DECOITE Chair	____________________________ CHRIS TODD Co-Chair
____________________________ HENRY J.C. AQUINO Co-Chair	____________________________ MARK M. NAKASHIMA Co-Chair
____________________________ KARL RHOADS Co-Chair	____________________________ JENNA TAKENOUCHI Co-Chair