THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	752
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that providing access for residents to participate in the legislative process is a basic right of citizenship in the State and should continue to be a priority. Providing equitable access to the legislative process for nearly four hundred fifty thousand residents on neighbor islands as well as those in rural Oahu is crucial to improving the functionality of the legislative process. With the rising costs of airfare, gas, and lodging, providing designated locations or state offices on neighbor islands and in rural Oahu where citizens can participate remotely in the legislative process will help reduce the financial burden of participation.

The purpose of this Act is to require the office of enterprise technology services to establish a working group to identify state resources that can be utilized for telecommunication to increase neighbor island and rural Oahu residents' participation in the legislative process.

SECTION 2. (a) The office of enterprise technology services shall establish a working group to conduct a study to identify state office buildings that are able to provide equitable telecommunication access to allow residents of the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui, and residents of rural areas in the city and county of Honolulu, including residents with disabilities, to participate remotely in legislative hearings.

(b) The working group shall consist of the following members:

(1) The chief information officer or the officer's designee, who shall serve as chair of the working group;

(2) The comptroller or the comptroller's designee, who shall serve as co-chair of the working group;

(3) A representative from the county of Hawaii, appointed by the county's mayor;

(4) A representative from the county of Maui, appointed by the county's mayor;

(5) A representative of the city and county of Honolulu, appointed by the county's mayor;

(6) A representative from the county of Kauai, appointed by the county's mayor;

(7) The president of the University of Hawaii or the president's designee; and

(8) The chairperson of the department of health's disability and communication access board or the chairperson's designee.

(c) The members of the working group shall convene virtually and serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses necessary for the performance of their duties.

(d) The working group shall be exempt from part I of chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes; provided that the office of enterprise technology services shall make available to the public on the office of enterprise technology services' internet website minutes of all the working group's meetings.

(e) The office of enterprise technology services shall provide administrative support to the working group, including preparing agendas and minutes, organizing meetings, and reporting on activities and recommendations.

(f) The working group shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024.

(g) The working group shall dissolve on June 30, 2024.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Office of Enterprise Technology Services; Study; State Office Buildings; Telecommunications; Accessibility; Legislative Hearings; Report

Description:

Requires the Office of Enterprise Technology Services to establish a working group to conduct a study to identify state office buildings that can provide equitable telecommunication access to allow certain residents, including residents with disabilities, to participate remotely in legislative hearings. Requires a report to the Legislature. Dissolves the working group on 6/30/2024.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.