Report Title:

Cable Television; Infrastructure Plan

Description:

Requires the director of commerce and consumer affairs to establish a statewide cable access infrastructure plan.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

856

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to cable television.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. State law currently requires cable television operators to designate three or more channels for public, educational, or governmental use. The director of commerce and consumer affairs designates nonprofit access organizations to oversee the development, operation, supervision, management, production, or broadcasting of programs for these channels, funded by a small portion of cable subscriber fees.

The legislature finds that there is significant value provided by cable access organizations to the public. Access organizations broadcast local programs, neighborhood board meetings, legislative hearings and sessions, city and county council meetings, educational programs, and local conferences on a wide variety of topics. The need for this programming and the value received by it are similar statewide.

The legislature finds that the access organizations’ infrastructure costs are significant, while the resources provided to these groups vary greatly throughout the State. The legislature further finds that the ability of a nonprofit organization to broadcast information to its residents should not depend upon the number of residents on that island. Rather, the legislature believes that the costs for the statewide benefit should be shared by all.

The purpose of this Act is to require the director of commerce and consumer affairs to develop a statewide cable access infrastructure plan, which may include establishment of a statewide fund from cable franchise fees to provide for statewide cable access infrastructure needs.

SECTION 2. Chapter 440G, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§440G- Statewide cable access infrastructure plan. The director shall establish a statewide cable access infrastructure plan, which may include establishment of a statewide fund from cable franchise fees to provide for statewide cable access infrastructure needs."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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