STAND. COM. REP. NO. 478

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1061

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 1061 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DIGITAL EQUITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a Digital Navigator Pilot Program to offer technical assistance with computers and electronic devices to residents.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi system, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the lack of digital equity is a pressing issue in the State, that has further isolated those in rural and socio-economically disadvantaged communities. By establishing a Digital Navigator Pilot Program to offer technical assistance with computers and electronic devices for members of the public this measure will promote online literacy, broadband access, and digital equity to enhance the State's overall economic development.

Your Committee notes the testimony submitted by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor regarding the consolidation of broadband assistance agencies. Your Committee further notes the Lieutenant Governor's offer to work closely with relevant departments to centralize broadband responsibilities. Your Committee recognizes that this policy and offer merits further consideration and respectfully requests that subsequent Committees to which this measure is referred examine the matter.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language to include one Digital Navigator Pilot Program location on each of the islands of Molokai and Lanai;

(2) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion;

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1061, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1061, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism,

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LYNN DECOITE, Chair