STAND. COM. REP. NO. 588-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2359

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2359, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

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 received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism; Disability and Communication Access Board; one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association; AARP Hawaiʻi; Hawaiian Telcom; Kapolei Chamber of Commerce; Broadband Hui; and Maui Chamber of Commerce. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Charter Communications.

Your Committee finds that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic brought to light the need for digital equity throughout the State. Your Committee further finds that the federal government has identified having robust broadband infrastructure as a priority and has dedicated funding for digital equity programs across the country. This measure would establish a program to provide grants for the optimal use of expected federal funding, thereby allowing the State to improve adoption of broadband services by underserved residents so they can access essential services and fully participate in society, democracy, and the economy.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting a definition for "broadband infrastructure";

(2) Specifying that projects that include the deployment of broadband infrastructure are ineligible for a grant under the Digital Equity Grant Program; and

(3) 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2359, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2359, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair