STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3669

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2359

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary, to which was referred 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,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a Digital Equity Grant Program to award grants to support digital equity projects benefitting certain covered populations in the State.

Your Committees received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Disability and Communication Access Board; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Kauai County Council; Hawaii Primary Care Association; AARP Hawaii; Kapolei Chamber of Commerce; Hawaii Broadband Hui; Charter Communications; Hawaii Library Association; Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center; Hawaiian Telcom; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; and Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Your Committees find that supporting access to digital technology and broadband services for underserved communities in the State will help expand employment and educational opportunities and improve access to health care in those communities.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2359, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary,

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair