HI SB2546

Establishes the Hawaii Broadband Office as a new part within Chapter 206M, Hawaii Revised Statutes, under the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.

Requires appointment of a State Broadband Strategy Officer to head the office, exempt from civil service requirements, with additional staff positions also exempt from chapter 76.

Directs the office to develop strategies for increasing broadband affordability and competitive availability, support public and private broadband deployment efforts, promote trans-Pacific submarine cable landing, and implement recommendations from the Hawaii Broadband Task Force.

Authorizes the office to coordinate broadband planning with stakeholders and seek funding from public and private sources while preserving existing functions of state and county agencies.

Appropriates funds from general revenues for fiscal year 2020-2021 to establish and staff the office with 3.00 full-time equivalent positions, effective July 1, 2020.