SB 1061: RELATING TO DIGITAL EQUITY.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO DIGITAL EQUITY.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that digital equity in every community across the State is essential to the well-being and economic reality of the State's residents.  The lack of digital equity is a pressing community issue in Hawaii, and isolates those in rural and socio-economically disadvantaged communities.  This inequality creates a digital divide, that is especially exacerbated amongst the State's most vulnerable and underserved populations.

     The legislature also finds that digital equity has meant the difference between an employee being able to work remotely and an employee possibly facing unemployment.  Additionally, digital literacy and broadband access are critical tools for persons seeking to access social services, such as unemployment claims; supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits; vital records; and other essential government, educational, and medical services.

     The legislature further finds that digital equity in the State will enhance Hawaii's overall economic development and education, health care, and emergency services.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for a digital navigator pilot program to offer technical assistance with computers and electronic devices to residents.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The Hawaii broadband and digital equity office shall establish a two-year navigator pilot program that offers technical assistance with computers and electronic devices for members of the public.

     (b)  The Hawaii broadband and digital equity office may partner with the Hawaii state public library system and other state agencies for the purposes of the pilot program.

     (c)  The digital navigator pilot program shall have two locations on the island of Oahu, two locations on the island of Hawaii, one location on the island of Kauai, one location on the island of Maui, one location on the island of Molokai, and one location on the island of Lanai.

     (d)  The Hawaii broadband and digital equity office shall submit a report of the pilot program's feasibility and impact, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the broadband and digital equity special fund established pursuant to Act    , Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish a digital navigator pilot program pursuant to this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii broadband and digital equity office for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Digital Equity; Digital Navigator Pilot Program; Report; Appropriations

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for a digital navigator pilot program to offer technical assistance with computers and electronic devices for the members of the public  Requires a report to the Legislature.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to digital equity.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that digital equity in every community across the State is essential to the well-being and economic reality of the State's residents.  The lack of digital equity is a pressing community issue in Hawaii, and isolates those in rural and socio-economically disadvantaged communities.  This inequality creates a digital divide, which is especially exacerbated amongst the State's most vulnerable and underserved populations.

     The legislature also finds that digital equity has meant the difference between an employee being able to work remotely and an employee possibly facing unemployment.  Additionally, digital literacy and broadband access are critical tools for persons seeking to access social services, such as unemployment claims; supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits; vital records; and other essential government, educational, and medical services.

     The legislature further finds that digital equity in the State will enhance Hawaii's overall economic development and education, health care, and emergency services.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for a digital navigator pilot program to offer technical assistance with computers and electronic devices to residents.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The Hawaii broadband and digital equity office shall establish a two-year navigator pilot program that offers technical assistance with computers and electronic devices for members of the public.

     (b)  The Hawaii broadband and digital equity office may partner with the Hawaii state public library system and other state agencies for the purposes of the pilot program.

     (c)  The digital navigator pilot program shall have two locations on the island of Oahu, two locations on the island of Hawaii, one location on the island of Kauai, and one location on the island of Maui.

     (d)  The Hawaii broadband and digital equity office shall submit a shall submit a report of the pilot program's feasibility and impact, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the broadband and digital equity special fund established pursuant to Act    , Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish a digital navigator pilot program pursuant to this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii broadband and digital equity office for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

Digital Equity; Digital Navigator Pilot Program; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for a digital navigator pilot program to offer technical assistance with computers and electronic devices to residents.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 478

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1061

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 1061 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DIGITAL EQUITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a Digital Navigator Pilot Program to offer technical assistance with computers and electronic devices to residents.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi system, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the lack of digital equity is a pressing issue in the State, that has further isolated those in rural and socio-economically disadvantaged communities.  By establishing a Digital Navigator Pilot Program to offer technical assistance with computers and electronic devices for members of the public this measure will promote online literacy, broadband access, and digital equity to enhance the State's overall economic development.

     Your Committee notes the testimony submitted by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor regarding the consolidation of broadband assistance agencies.  Your Committee further notes the Lieutenant Governor's offer to work closely with relevant departments to centralize broadband responsibilities.  Your Committee recognizes that this policy and offer merits further consideration and respectfully requests that subsequent Committees to which this measure is referred examine the matter.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting language to include one Digital Navigator Pilot Program location on each of the islands of Molokai and Lanai;

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion;

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1061, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1061, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism,