Bill Text: HI SB2460 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Relating To 5g.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-29 - Re-Referred to TEC/CPH, WAM. [SB2460 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-SB2460-Introduced.html

---

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2460
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to 5G.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  5G refers to fifth-generation wireless technology intended to provide faster and higher capacity transmissions to carry the massive data load generated by smart devices, the Internet of Things, robotics, artificial intelligence, driverless cars, and other machine-to-machine connections.

     Consumers have expressed concern about possible health effects of radiation in everything from microwaves to cellphones for many years, prodded by claims that radio airwaves cause cancers, reduced fertility, depression, headaches in children, and other illnesses.

     There are additional concerns that are specific to 5G, due to the super high-frequency millimeter wavelengths used. These concerns have been expressed by government officials in foreign countries, numerous cities and municipalities in the United States, experts, consumer and public health activists, and private citizens. These voices have urged caution, further research, enhanced monitoring, and in some cases, a moratorium on the deployment of 5G.

     Although 5G is expected to use some of the same frequency bands that previous generations of wireless have used, including low-band 600MHz and mid-band 2.5GHz, 3.5CHz, and 3.7-4.2GHz bands, the Federal Communications Commission has already auctioned off airwaves in the 24GHz and 28GHz bands, and is in the process of auctioning off licenses in the 37GHz, 39GHZ, and 47GHz bands for use in 5G.

     Because signals transmitted over millimeter waves are limited in range and cannot penetrate obstacles like walls or even leaves on trees, networks using these frequencies will require radios on every city block, versus 4G infrastructure that transmits signals over miles. Therefore, 5G will require up to five times the amount of infrastructure that 3G or 4G deployment requires. Furthermore, there is limited research on the effects of radiation of these higher frequency bands.

     The United States Department of Defense sponsored some studies in the late 1990s and early 2000s looking at the use of millimeter wavelengths as a non-lethal weapon. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has used this research to set safety limits for the use of 5G millimeter waves. The Federal Communications Commission uses guidance from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers to establish appropriate levels of radio frequency exposure. Nevertheless, a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' standards committee for setting radio-frequency exposure limits has said that "we need more systematic reviews of the existing research and more well-done studies focusing on health-related endpoints" regarding exposure to millimeter wavelengths.

     While 5G promises faster speeds and the ability to power diverse new technologies, concerns about its potential adverse health hazards have yet to be fully addressed. Regulatory frameworks may be outdated, as well. For example, the Federal Communications Commission has not updated its cellphone safety standards since 1996. Contemporary lawmakers run the risk of authorizing the deployment of a 21^st century technology to be operated according to 20^th century safety standards.

     Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to establish a moratorium on the deployment of 5G until a definitive research base exists finding that 5G poses no significant public health hazard.

     SECTION 2.  5G shall not be deployed in this State until the department of health certifies that a definitive research base exists finding that 5G poses no significant public health hazard.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

5G Technology; Deployment; Health Hazards

 

Description:

Prohibits the deployment of 5G in the State until a definitive research base exists finding that 5G poses no significant public health hazard.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.