STAND. COM. REP. NO. 292-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1798

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Economic Development & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 1798 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY DAMAGE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the class C felony offense of criminal property damage of a critical infrastructure facility; and

(2) Expand the definition of "critical infrastructure" to include broadband and cable networks.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, County of Maui; Charter Communications; CTIA; Hawaiian Telcom; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that broadband and communications networks are essential to public safety, economic activity, education, health care, and daily life in the State. Damage to these facilities disrupts emergency communications, limits access to medical and government services, and negatively impacts businesses and residents. This measure therefore seeks to deter such acts by establishing the felony offense of criminal property damage of a critical infrastructure facility.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying the definition of "damage";

(2) Including wireless networks within the definition of "critical infrastructure";

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1798, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1798, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Technology,

____________________________

GREGGOR ILAGAN, Chair