STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1790

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 933

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 933, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PRINT DISABILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Public Utilities Commission to provide free telecommunications access to certain information for persons with print disabilities.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Hawaii State Committee of Blind Vendors, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, National Organization of Parents of Blind Children Hawaii Representative, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Division of Consumer Advocacy of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaiian Telcom.

Your Committee finds that providing free telecommunications access to certain information for persons with print disabilities will ensure that persons with print disabilities enjoy equal access to information and services.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 933, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair