STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1351

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.R. No. 6

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.R. No. 6 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING REPORTS REGARDING STATE AGENCY ACTION TO ENSURE ACCESS BY RURAL COMMUNITIES TO CELLULAR AND BROADBAND SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure rural community access to advanced telecommunications by, among other things:

     (1)  Requesting the Public Utilities Commission to report on efforts to ensure that all consumers are provided telecommunication services comparable to those in the metropolitan areas of the State and are provided with nondiscriminatory, reasonable, and equitable access to high quality telecommunications network facilities and capabilities, including efforts and plans to find and fund such services; and

(2)  Requesting the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to report on the progress and plans to establish affordable, accessible broadband services to unserved and underserved areas of Hawaii and efforts to find and access funding for providing such services.

Mainstreet Pahoa Association and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs supported the intent of this measure.  An individual commented on this measure.

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 6 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair