HI HB624

Exempts installation, improvement, construction, or development of broadband-related infrastructure from county and state permitting requirements, including small wireless and wireline facilities on utility poles and supporting structures.

Requires persons or entities to provide at least 30 days' notice to the director of commerce and consumer affairs before taking exempt actions, with exceptions for public utilities and government entities providing access.

Defines "small wireless or wireline facilities" with specific cubic footage limits based on antenna size and structure type (ranging from 21-35 cubic feet for equipment), and allows utility pole upgrades or replacements if weight/diameter does not increase and safety standards are maintained.

Allows the Public Utilities Commission to permit utilities and broadband service providers to recover all prudently incurred costs for pole planning, engineering, construction, and replacement through rates and charges.

Establishes reasonable and nondiscriminatory rate caps for facilities collocated on state or county utility poles, not to exceed rates permitted by Federal Communications Commission rules, with state or county bearing the burden of proving rates are reasonable.

Codifies permanent broadband infrastructure provisions from Act 151 (2011) into Chapter 27 of Hawaii Revised Statutes and expands the definition of wireless communication antennas to include small wireless or wireline facilities in agricultural and rural districts.