STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1793

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 963

H.D. 1

S.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 Ways and Means, 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 moneys for various programs related to broadband internet access.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor; Department of Budget and Finance; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; University of Hawaii; Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui; AARP Hawaii; AlohaCare; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Vibrant Hawaii; and three individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from Hawaiian Telcom.

Your Committee finds that supporting programs related to broadband internet access will ensure that all residents of the State are able to fully participate in society, democracy, and the economy.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriations from $33,000,000 and $95,000,000, respectively, to unspecified amounts; and

(2) Making a technical nonsubstantive amendment for the purpose of clarity.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 963, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 963, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair