STAND. COM. REP. NO. 662-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2397

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2397, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BROADBAND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Hawaii Broadband Infrastructure Authority;

(2) Clarify the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office's role relating to broadband access and digital equity, including repealing the responsibility of the Office to promote the landing of trans-Pacific submarine cable; and

(3) Appropriate federal funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Ocean Networks, Inc.; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Verizon and CTIA. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Transportation; Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Department of Budget and Finance; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; University of Hawai‘i System; Office of Information Practices; Charter Communications; Hawaiian Telcom; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic brought to light the need for broadband infrastructure and digital equity throughout the State. Your Committee further finds that the federal government has identified having a robust broadband infrastructure as a priority and has dedicated funding for digital equity programs across the country. This measure would plan for the ideal use of expected federal funding, thereby allowing the State to better provide broadband services to all its residents.

Your Committee notes that the Department of Transportation raised suggestions in its written testimony before your Committee that the Board of the Hawaii Broadband Infrastructure Authority include the Director of Transportation as an ex officio member. This suggestion is in anticipation of the proposal that transportation infrastructure be considered for use as broadband infrastructure. Should this measure continue to advance in the legislative process, your Committee believes that further consideration be given to this suggestion.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Removing language that authorized the Hawaii Broadband Infrastructure Authority to collect data from communications service providers and wireless providers; and

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

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2397, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2397, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair