THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
870
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
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)
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