HB 2654 Summary

• Establishes the Hawaii Communications Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to regulate telecommunications carriers and cable operators, consolidating functions previously split between the Public Utilities Commission and Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

• Transfers telecommunications carrier regulation from the Public Utilities Commission to the Hawaii Communications Commission effective July 1, 2013, and immediately transfers cable operator regulation from DCCA to the new commission.

• Grants the commission authority to develop broadband infrastructure policies, streamline permitting processes, promote competitive telecommunications markets, and ensure universal service access at affordable rates.

• Repeals Chapter 440G (cable television regulation) and removes telecommunications-related sections from Chapter 269, transferring those regulatory functions to the new commission.

• Appropriates funding from the Hawaii Communications Commission special fund (supported by regulatory fees from telecommunications carriers and cable operators) to implement the new regulatory structure and broadband development programs.