STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1752

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 934

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 934, H.D. 1, S.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 and intent of this measure is to consolidate and centralize government functions relating to broadband internet access.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Renames the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office as the Broadband Office and transfers the office from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to the Office of Enterprise Technology Services;

(2) Repeals broadband duties assigned to the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs;

(3) Repeals the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council;

(4) Establishes positions; and

(5) Makes appropriations.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, University of Hawaii System, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Charter Communications, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, and two individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; and Office of Enterprise Technology Services.

Your Committee finds that it would be prudent and beneficial to consolidate broadband internet access and related duties under a single agency. This consolidation would reduce confusion by having a single state office to which the public can be referred and contact regarding broadband issues and matters.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Transferring the duty of collecting and posting certain broadband infrastructure notices pursuant to Act 151, Session Laws of Hawaii 2011, as amended, from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to the Broadband Office;

(2) Inserting language that clarifies the effect that the transfer of the Broadband Office will have on the continuity of rules, policies, and documents;

(3) Correcting the text of section 3 of Act 199, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010, as amended, to reflect the printed version of the Session Laws of Hawaii; and

(4) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 934, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 934, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair