HI HB623

Establishes a Broadband Coordinator position within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, exempt from civil service requirements and reporting directly to the department director.

Requires the Broadband Coordinator to develop a State of Hawaii Broadband Plan and submit it to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2018 regular session convening.

Broadband Plan must include analysis of current infrastructure and gaps, inventory of community broadband resources, digital literacy recommendations, public engagement initiatives, broadband communication solutions, and necessary capital improvement projects.

Directs the Broadband Coordinator to develop legislation establishing a broadband review panel with authority to adopt rules, develop fee and lease rates, and create statewide broadband forms.

Appropriates funds for one full-time equivalent Broadband Coordinator position for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, effective July 1, 2017.