Bill Text: HI SR20 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Requesting The Department Of Business, Economic Development, And Tourism To Conduct A Needs Assessment Of Rural Areas In The Third Senatorial District That Identifies Infrastructure Improvements Necessary To Ensure Broadband Access For Residents.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-18 - The committee on GVO deferred the measure. [SR20 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2021-SR20-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	20
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

Requesting the department of business, economic development, and tourism to conduct a needs assessment of rural areas in the third senatorial district that IDENTIFIES infrastructure improvements necessary to ensure broadband access for residents.

 

 

     WHEREAS, broadband services are essential infrastructure for the twenty-first century and play an important role in providing access to knowledge and opportunities from around the world; and

 

     WHEREAS, broadband services allow for the advancement in various sectors, including education, health, public safety, research and innovation, civic participation, and more; and

 

     WHEREAS, universal access to broadband services has been touted as a vital economic engine for the nation and a critical element for advancing economic opportunities and an important vehicle for the news and entertainment industries; and

 

     WHEREAS, rural communities in the State are currently underserved with respect to access to broadband access compared to their urban counterparts; and

 

     WHEREAS, providing access to broadband communication services will enable residents in rural communities to gain critically needed access to online services such as medical care, education, emergency services, and various economic opportunities; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is requested to conduct a needs assessment of rural areas in the third senatorial district that identifies infrastructure improvements necessary to ensure broadband access for residents; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2022; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and Mayor of the County of Hawaii.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Broadband Services; Access; Rural Communities