S.B. 2704 - Wireless Broadband Facilities

• Establishes a new chapter in Hawaii Revised Statutes governing wireless broadband network deployment, creating a standardized permitting process for communications service providers to install wireless facilities on state and county utility poles in public rights-of-way.

• Prohibits exclusive arrangements for wireless facility use of public rights-of-way and requires nondiscriminatory, competitively neutral rates and terms for pole access and make-ready work.

• Limits permit processing to 90 working days with automatic approval if the State or county fails to act; applicants may resubmit denied applications within 30 days without additional fees.

• Establishes specific approval standards allowing denial only if proposed facilities materially interfere with public safety, sight lines, ADA compliance, applicable codes, or cause utility poles to exceed 70% load capacity.

• Requires State and counties to adopt compliant laws and regulations by July 1, 2019; allows bonding requirements not to exceed $200 per facility and caps total bonds at specified amounts for multi-facility deployments.