STAND. COM. REP. NO. 75

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 829

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 Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 829 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 state general funds to qualify for matching federal funds for state broadband initiatives.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor; Department of Budget and Finance; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; University of Hawai‘i System; Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawaii; Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that equitable access to high-speed broadband internet is an essential need for the State and is not only important for remote-learning and remote-work, but telehealth services, business activities, and for Hawaii to stay connected to the world. Significant federal funding is available to support state broadband initiatives, however, some of these programs require matching funds from the State or other non-federal partners. Your Committee believes that maximizing access to federal funding is critical to addressing the problem of broadband accessibility. This measure will increase high-speed broadband access in the State by appropriating state general funds to qualify for matching federal funds for state broadband initiatives.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purpose of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 829, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 829, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

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LYNN DECOITE, Chair