SB 870: RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATION.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATION.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that providing access for residents to participate in the state legislative process is a basic right of citizenship in the State and should continue to be a priority.  Ensuring equitable access to the legislative process for nearly four hundred fifty thousand residents on neighbor islands, as well as those in rural Oʻahu, is crucial to improving the functionality of the legislative process.  With the rising costs of airfare, gas, and lodging, providing designated locations or state offices on neighbor islands and in rural Oʻahu where citizens can participate remotely in the legislative process will help reduce the financial burden of participation.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the comptroller and state librarian to collaborate to identify certain state office buildings, including state libraries, that can be utilized for telecommunication access to increase neighbor island and rural Oʻahu residents' participation in the state legislative process, and estimate the costs and resources, including additional staffing, required to effectuate this purpose.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The comptroller and state librarian, or their respective designees, shall collaborate to:

     (1)  Identify state office buildings, including state libraries, that are able to provide equitable telecommunication access to residents of the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui, and residents of rural areas of Oahu, including individuals with disabilities who reside in those areas, to participate remotely in legislative hearings; and

     (2)  Estimate the costs and resources, including additional staffing, required to increase equitable telecommunication access to allow residents to remotely participate in legislative hearings in the state office buildings identified pursuant to paragraph (1).

provided that the controller and state librarian may partner with the university of Hawaii in performing the tasks required in this subsection.

     (b)  The comptroller, in collaboration with the state librarian, shall submit a report of the findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect January 1, 2525.

Report Title:

Comptroller; State Librarian; UH; State Office Buildings; State Libraries; Telecommunications; Accessibility; Legislative Hearings; Report

Description:

Requires the Comptroller and State Librarian to identify state office buildings, including state libraries, that can provide equitable telecommunication access to allow certain residents, including residents with disabilities, to participate remotely in legislative hearings and estimate the costs and resources, including additional staffing, to effectuate this purpose.  Allows the Comptroller and State Librarian to partner with the University of Hawaii in performing these tasks.  Requires a report to the Legislature.  Effective 1/1/2525.  (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 TELECOMMUNICATION.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that providing access for residents to participate in the state legislative process is a basic right of citizenship in the State and should continue to be a priority.  Ensuring equitable access to the legislative process for nearly four hundred fifty thousand residents on neighbor islands, as well as those in rural Oʻahu, is crucial to improving the functionality of the legislative process.  With the rising costs of airfare, gas, and lodging, providing designated locations or state offices on neighbor islands and in rural Oʻahu where citizens can participate remotely in the legislative process will help reduce the financial burden of participation.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the comptroller to identify certain state resources that can be utilized for telecommunication access to increase neighbor island and rural Oʻahu residents' participation in the state legislative process.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The comptroller shall identify state office buildings that are able to provide equitable telecommunication access to residents of the counties of Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi, and Maui, and residents of rural areas of Oʻahu, including individuals with disabilities who reside in those areas, to participate remotely in legislative hearings.

     (b)  The comptroller shall submit a report of the comptroller's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026.

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

Report Title:

Department of Accounting and General Services; Comptroller; State Office Buildings; Telecommunications; Accessibility; Legislative Hearings; Report

Description:

Requires the Comptroller to identify state office buildings that can provide equitable telecommunication access to allow certain residents, including residents with disabilities, to participate remotely in legislative hearings.  Requires a report to the Legislature.

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. 192

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 870

       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 Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 870 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Comptroller to identify state office buildings that can provide equitable telecommunication access to facilitate greater participation of neighbor island and rural Oahu residents in the state legislative process remotely.  

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association, Responsive Caregivers of Hawaii, Arc of Maui County, and one individual.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services.

     Your Committee finds that offering alternative pathways for citizens to provide testimony expands their access to the legislative process and increases democratic participation.  Amplifying diverse voices is a key principle of good governance and effective policymaking.  For individuals on neighbor islands and in rural areas of Oahu, those who lack access to reliable internet access, and those with disabilities, offering state buildings as access points for remote testimony will greatly expand their opportunities to interact with and address legislation directly impacting their lives.  This measure increases accessibility in government by requiring the Comptroller to identify state office buildings suited to hosting remote testifiers.

     Your Committee notes testimony stating that the Hawaii State Library System currently has fifty-one libraries that are outfitted with internet access, laptops; environmentally controlled, including air conditioning; and have staff capable of providing the necessary support to potential users wanting to access legislative proceedings.  Furthermore, the State's libraries are designed to support residents with disabilities to ensure access to the services available there.

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requiring the Comptroller and State Librarian, or their respective designees, to collaborate in performing the tasks required pursuant to this measure;

     (2)  Adding the task of estimating the costs and resources, including additional staffing, required to increase equitable telecommunication access to allow residents to remotely participate in legislative hearings in state office buildings;

     (3)  Inserting language allowing the Comptroller and State Librarian to partner with the University of Hawaii in performing these tasks;

     (4)  Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose;

     (5)  Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2525, to encourage further discussion; and

     (6)  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 Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 870, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 870, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Operations,