SB1317 SD1

PART I

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that equitable access to high-speed broadband internet is a pressing challenge for the State. The legislature further finds that there is a significant amount of federal funds available to support state broadband initiatives and that some of these programs require matching funds from the State or other non-federal partners. The legislature also finds that the composition of the working group established pursuant to Act 231, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, should be amended to facilitate its purpose in determining the appropriate governance structure to implement, operate, and maintain broadband infrastructure development in the State.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Provide the matching funds required to receive federal funds for state broadband initiatives; and

(2) Require the office of the lieutenant governor to convene and chair the working group established pursuant to Act 231, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022.

PART II

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $33,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 to provide required matching funds for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of budget and finance for the purposes of this Act; provided that the moneys appropriated by this section shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made; provided further that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2026, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the funds received by the State of Hawaii from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the sum of $95,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of budget and finance for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for additional matching fund requirements for federal fund programs related to broadband.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of budget and finance for the purposes of this Act; provided that the moneys appropriated by this section shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made; provided further that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2026, shall lapse as of that date.

PART III

SECTION 5. Act 231, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, section 2, is amended by amending subsections (a) through (c) to read as follows:

"(a) The [~~University of Hawaii and Hawaii broadband and digital equity office~~] office of the lieutenant governor shall jointly convene a working group to determine the appropriate governance structure to implement, operate, and maintain broadband infrastructure development in the State.

(b) The working group shall consist of the following members, or their designees:

(1) The president of the University of Hawaii[~~, who shall serve as co-chair~~];

(2) The strategic broadband coordinator[~~, who shall serve as co-chair~~];

(3) The director of finance;

(4) The director of commerce and consumer affairs;

(5) The comptroller;

(6) The director of business, economic development, and tourism;

(7) The director of health;

(8) The superintendent of education;

(9) The chairperson of the Hawaiian homes commission; [~~and~~]

(10) The mayors of the counties[.]; and

(11) The lieutenant governor, who shall serve as chair.

(c) The [~~co-chairs~~] chair of the working group shall invite the following individuals to become members of the working group:

(1) The governor;

(2) The State's congressional delegation;

(3) Representatives from private sector partners; and

(4) Others as recommended by the working group."

PART IV

SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2050.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1317
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII