Bill Text: HI HCR189 | 2015 | Regular Session | Amended


Bill Title: Broadband; Resort Areas; Universal Wireless Access; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism Working Group

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Passed) 2015-05-01 - Received notice of Adoption in House (Hse. Com. No. 650). [HCR189 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2015-HCR189-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

189

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE BROADBAND ASSISTANCE ADVISORY COUNCIL TO CREATE A MASTER PLAN OF PROVIDING UNIVERSAL HIGH SPEED BROADBAND ACCESS IN RESORT AREAS AND OTHER AREAS OF IMPORTANCE THROUGHOUT HAWAII, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND HAWAII PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

 

 


     WHEREAS, universal access to broadband internet services has been touted as a vital economic engine for the nation, an essential vehicle for enhanced learning and medicine, and a critical element of the news and entertainment industries; and

 

     WHEREAS, tourism is the number one economic driver for the State's economy; and

 

     WHEREAS, state action is needed to support investment in, stimulate the adoption of, and remove potential barriers to the development and availability of world-class and universally accessible broadband networks in Hawaii; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council (Council) was established by Act 199, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010, as amended by Act 151, Session Laws of Hawaii 2011, to advise the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs on policy and funding priorities to, among other things, expedite deployment of affordable and accessible broadband services in Hawaii; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, the Senate concurring, that the Council is requested to create a master plan to provide universal high speed broadband access in resort areas and other areas of importance throughout Hawaii including, but not limited to, Honolulu International Airport and Hawaii public schools; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council is requested to:

 

     (1)  Develop specific strategies for the establishment of universal high speed broadband access throughout Waikiki, resort areas, and other areas of importance throughout the State, including but not limited to Kaanapali, Maui; Kohala, Hawaii; Hanalei, Kauai; Honolulu International Airport; and Hawaii public schools; and

 

     (2)  Identify best practices to establish a database that identifies current and prospective projects for deploying broadband; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council is requested to expand its membership to include the following parties:

 

     (1)  The Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism or the Director's designee;

 

     (2)  One representative from the Hawaii Tourism Authority;

 

     (3)  One representative from the Department of Budget and Finance;

 

     (4)  One representative from each of the Mayor's offices of the Counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai, and the City and County of Honolulu;

 

     (5)  One representative from a nonprofit organization that represents the interests of the Hawaii hotel industry; and

 

     (6)  One representative from Hawaiian Electric Company; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all members of the Council serve without compensation but be reimbursed for all necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties as Council members; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council is requested to provide a written report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2016; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Director of Finance, the Mayors of the Counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai and the City and County of Honolulu, and Board of Directors of Hawaiian Electric Industries.

Report Title: 

Broadband; Resort Areas; Universal Wireless Access; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism Working Group

 

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