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Education committee passes measure to identify rural telecommunication needs for legislative access
Summary
The House Committee on Education approved SCR 53 SD1 with amendments to assign the comptroller and state planning offices responsibility for identifying rural and underserved communities needing better telecommunication access so residents — including people with developmental disabilities — can participate in the legislative process.
The House Committee on Education voted to pass SCR 53 SD1 with amendments, directing state offices to identify rural and underserved communities that need improved telecommunication access so residents can follow and participate in the legislative process.
The committee amended the measure to revert to the original draft author’s request by replacing the Legislative Reference Bureau with the comptroller as the lead agency and adding the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office to cooperate with the Hawaii State Public Library System on the study. The committee also removed a clause that asked the public access room to establish an outreach program and deleted two whereas clauses referencing the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Samaya Gorham, an intern with the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, spoke in support during public testimony, saying the measure would expand access for advocates who cannot travel to hearings. "We have a lot of advocates that would like to participate in the legislative session. However, access is not always available," Gorham said.
Committee discussion focused on restoring the original lead-agency language and ensuring the distribution list and reporting clause reflected the change to the comptroller-led approach. No statutory citations were introduced during the hearing.
The committee roll call on SCR 53 SD1 recorded unanimous support among members present and one excused absence. Chair Woodson and Vice Chair LaChica voted aye; Representatives Amano, Eslin, Garrett, Coppella, Keelah, Olds, Sayama and Morioka also voted aye. Representative Souza was excused. Recommendation adopted to pass with amendments.
The committee indicated the amended version will change the title and distribution list to reflect the comptroller and the added cooperating offices.
