STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1153

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 963

H.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 Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred H.B. No. 963, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BROADBAND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to match federal funds for state broadband initiatives.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Budget and Finance; Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities; University of Hawai‘i System; Disability and Communication Access Board; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaiian Telcom; Broadband Hui; Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; AARP Hawai‘i; Maui Chamber of Commerce; and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that equitable access to high-speed internet is an essential need for the State and is critical for telehealth services, remote-work, and remote-learning. Your Committee further finds that there are several federal programs that provide significant amounts of funding to states to improve broadband access. However, some of these programs, including the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, require matching funds from the State. This measure appropriates funds to maximize access to federal funding and address the lack of broadband accessibility in certain areas of the State.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 963, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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LYNN DECOITE, Chair