HB 1191 Summary

• Establishes a broadband infrastructure grant program administered by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to award grants for deploying wireline broadband infrastructure to unserved and underserved areas of Hawaii.

• Requires grant applicants to contribute a minimum of 60% of project costs from their own funds and be non-governmental entities with demonstrated experience providing broadband service or communications services in the State.

• Renames the Hawaii technology loan revolving fund to the Hawaii broadband infrastructure special fund and allows it to receive appropriations, federal funds, and private sector contributions up to $10,000,000 annually.

• Establishes the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office within DBEDT, headed by a strategic broadband coordinator appointed by the governor with senate confirmation, to coordinate statewide broadband deployment and digital equity efforts.

• Appropriates $5,000,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funds for fiscal year 2021-2022 to support the broadband infrastructure grant program, effective July 1, 2021.