HB 533 Summary

• Establishes the Hawaii Broadband Office within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to develop and implement strategies for broadband affordability, penetration, and competitive availability throughout the state.

• Creates the position of State Broadband Strategy Officer, appointed by the CEO of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation and exempt from civil service requirements, to head the office.

• Renames the "Broadband Assistance Advisory Council" to the "Broadband Advisory Council" and transfers its oversight from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation CEO.

• Reduces the advisory council membership from twelve to ten members and clarifies council duties to focus on broadband deployment and economic development rather than telework promotion.

• Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 to establish and staff the office, including two full-time exempt positions.