STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1299

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 821

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Technology and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred H.B. No. 821, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Authorize the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to enter into a partnership with a partner in the private sector to plan, build, and manage key strategic broadband infrastructure and attract cloud based companies to Hawaii; develop internal policies and procedures for the procurement of goods, services, and construction; and identify a suitable location for a cable landing station in Kakaako, on the island of Oahu;

 

     (2)  Exempt construction of the cable landing station from certain state and county approval and permitting requirements for a period of five years to help expedite the process; and

 

     (3)  Make an appropriation for the establishment of an open access, carrier-neutral cable landing station in support of the Hawaii Broadband Initiative.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Cable Television Division; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Health; Hawaii Technology Development Corporation; University of Hawaii System; Hawaiian Electric Companies; Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii; Ocean Networks; RTI; Oahu Economic Development Board; and two individuals.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the State Procurement Office.

 

     Your Committees find that establishing an open access, carrier neutral cable landing station in Hawaii would expand Hawaii's connectivity around the world, establish Hawaii as a key player in the global broadband market, and address the need for better broadband connectivity.  Your Committees further find that the timing for an open access, carrier neutral cable landing is critical due to various federal and private contracts that are available to Hawaii.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by deleting its contents and inserting language from S.B. No. 218, S.D. 1 (Regular Session 2019), which:

 

     (1)  Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish a public-private partnership with a private organization to plan, build, and manage key strategic broadband infrastructure and attract cloud based companies to Hawaii; and

 

     (2)  Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish an open access, carrier neutral cable landing station and for the Hawaii Broadband Initiative.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Technology and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 821, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 821, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair

 

________________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair