STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1388

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 67

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.R. No. 67 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AND ADOPTING THE GOALS SET FORTH IN THE DIGITAL EQUITY DECLARATION FOR HAWAII ADOPTED BY THE BROADBAND HUI,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to support and adopt the goals set forth in the Digital Equity Declaration for Hawaii adopted by the Broadband Hui.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; Aloha Care; and Transform Hawai‘i Government.

Your Committee finds that "digital equity" is a condition in which all Hawaii residents have the information technology capacity to participate fully in our society, democracy, and economy; including civics, social and cultural activities, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services. In contrast, "digital inequity", often referred to as the "digital divide", is a pressing concern, separating those individuals in rural communities and socioeconomically disadvantaged circumstances from the rest of modern society. Your Committee further finds that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has exacerbated the "digital divide" and highlighted the need for broadband infrastructure and "digital equity" across the State, especially in unserved or underserved areas.

Your Committee recognizes that the Broadband Hui is a multi-sector conglomerate of both public and private organizations and individuals, which convened to discuss and adopt a compilation of goals known as the Digital Equity Declaration for Hawaii. Your Committee believes that the goals set forth by the Broadband Hui are timely and important for state government to consider in securing digital equity for Hawaii's citizenry.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 67 and recommends its adoption.

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

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair