STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1666

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 189

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Economic Development and Technology, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 189, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BROADBAND ASSISTANCE ADVISORY COUNCIL TO CREATE A MASTER PLAN OF PROVIDING UNIVERSAL HIGH SPEED BROADBAND ACCESS IN RESORT AREAS AND OTHER AREAS OF IMPORTANCE THROUGHOUT HAWAII, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND HAWAII PUBLIC SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council (Council) to:

     (1)  Create a master plan to provide universal high speed broadband access in resort areas and other areas of importance throughout Hawaii, including but not limited to Honolulu International Airport and Hawaii public schools;

     (2)  Develop strategies for the establishment of universal high speed broadband access throughout certain areas of the State;

     (3)  Identify best practices to establish a database that identifies current and prospective projects for deploying broadband; and

     (4)  Add certain individuals to their membership.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; and Hawaiian Electric Company.

     Your Committee finds that universal access to broadband internet services has been touted as a vital economic engine for the nation, an essential vehicle for enhanced learning and medicine, and a critical element of the news and entertainment industries.  Your Committee further finds that state action is needed to support investment in the adoption of the development and availability of world-class and universally accessible broadband networks in Hawaii.

     Your Committee notes that the Council was formed in 2010.  Your Committee further notes that, if unamended, this measure may establish a new working group rather than accomplish the legislative purposes of requesting the Council to expand its membership and to provide the Legislature with a master plan to develop and implement wireless broadband access state-wide in resort areas and other parts of Hawaii.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Amending language to more clearly articulate its purpose and intent to expand the membership of the Council, rather than establish a working group of the Council; and

     (2)  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 Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 189, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 189, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

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

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair