STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1474-22

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2022

 

RE:   H.R. No. 32

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.R. No. 32 entitled:

 

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO ESTABLISH A RELIABLE, INDEPENDENT, AND TRANSPARENT METHODOLOGY TO ASSESS EFFECTS OF RADIO FREQUENCY EMISSIONS GENERATED BY WIRELESS ANTENNA SITES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure The purpose of this measure is to request the University of Hawaii to establish a reliable, independent, and transparent methodology to assess the effects of radio frequency emissions generated by wireless antenna sites.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Safe Dynamics, Inc.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from CTIA.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Association of Broadcasters and New West Broadcasting Corp.

 

     Your Committee finds that wireless communications technology has become an indispensable part of everyday life for virtually all consumers in Hawaii.  However, as wireless networks grow to meet increasing consumer demand, the infrastructure required to meet this demand has begun to steadily encroach on neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces.  Many more sites will need to be built, and existing sites upgraded, to deliver the capacity and performance promises of new broadband wireless technology such as 5G.  This measure seeks to ensure that growth in new wireless technologies, and corresponding growth in wireless transmitting antennas, occurs in a responsible and managed manner, consistent and compliant with Federal Communications Commission regulations.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Deleting the language relating to public perceptions concerning wireless technologies being shaped by speculation and misinformation rather than verifiable scientific evidence; and

 

     (2)  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 Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 32, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 32, H.D. 1.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair