STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1397-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.C.R. No. 29

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 29 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO SUPPORT CONTINUED FUNDING OF THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the United States Congress to support continued funding of the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Lieutenant Governor; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; CTIA; Verizon; Charter Communications; and Hawaii Broadband Hui.

Your Committee finds that the United States Congress assigned the Federal Communications Commission to administer the Affordable Connectivity Program, the successor program to the Emergency Broadband Benefit, which helped almost nine million households to afford internet access during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic. Your Committee further finds that in areas of the State in which broadband is available, the Affordable Connectivity Program allows subscribers to afford internet speeds and devices sufficient for key online activities, such as at-home learning, health care, banking, and public services. In areas of the State in which broadband is not available, the Affordable Connectivity Program incentivizes the deployment of new broadband infrastructure.

Your Committee also finds that thousands of Hawaii residents benefit from the Affordable Connectivity Program, but they are at risk of losing broadband service in 2024 if the United States Congress does not fund an extension of the program. Your Committee believes that allowing the Affordable Connectivity Program to end will be a great disservice to those who rely on the program to access vital online services and resources.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 29 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair