Bill > SB1062

This bill establishes the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, replacing its previous location in the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. The office will be led by a strategic broadband coordinator appointed by the governor and will have broad responsibilities including developing strategies to increase broadband affordability and availability, supporting public and private broadband deployment efforts, promoting trans-Pacific submarine cable infrastructure, and administering grant programs. The bill creates a Broadband and Digital Equity Special Fund, which will receive money from infrastructure lease proceeds, legislative appropriations, and public/private donations, and can be used to support broadband projects, cover internet service costs, and fund technical assistance positions. The bill transfers all existing rights, functions, and employees from the previous office to the new office, ensuring no loss of employee benefits or status, and appropriates $200,000 for the office's initial operations in fiscal year 2025-2026. Key definitions in the bill include "broadband" as high-speed, always-on internet access, and "digital equity" as the condition where all individuals have the technological capacity to fully participate in society, democracy, and the economy.

Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1062&year=2026