HB 809 Summary

• Establishes the Hawaii Broadband Office within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation with a state broadband strategy officer position and supporting staff exempt from civil service requirements.

• Authorizes the office to develop strategies to increase broadband affordability and deployment, support public-private partnerships, promote trans-Pacific submarine cable landing, and seek funding from public and private sources.

• Renames and restructures the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council as the Broadband Advisory Council with 10 members (reduced from 12) appointed by the legislature and led by the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation CEO.

• Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 to create and staff the Hawaii Broadband Office, including 2.0 full-time exempt positions.

• Takes effect July 1, 2050.