STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1751

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.R. No. 137

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Culture, Arts & International Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 137 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 2 THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2023, AND OCTOBER 7 THROUGH OCTOBER 11, 2024, AS DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK IN THE STATE OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to recognize October 2 through October 6, 2023, and October 7 through October 11, 2024, as digital inclusion week in Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board.

Your Committee finds that broadband access has helped deliver public health information to vulnerable Hawaii residents who experience socioeconomic disparities and those who live in underserved communities. Your Committee further finds many rural, agricultural, and lower-income communities throughout the State lack access to reliable and affordable broadband due to the lack of infrastructure; discrimination in investment in delivering technology to specific areas; or barriers derived from socioeconomic status, education, literacy, language, or disabilities. Your Committee therefore finds that this measure will raise awareness of the need for digital equity and will promote digital inclusion.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Removing recognition of October 7 through October 11, 2024, as Digital Inclusion Week, in order to limit application of this measure to a one-year period;

(2) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

(3) 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 Culture, Arts & International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 137, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 137, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Culture, Arts & International Affairs,

____________________________

ADRIAN K. TAM, Chair