HI SR54

Requests the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) to establish a working group to develop funding sources for broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas of Hawaii.

Working group composition includes: DBEDT Director (chair), one Senate member, one House member, one Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs representative, and at least one representative from Charter Spectrum Communications, Hawaiian Telcom, or other Hawaii broadband internet service provider.

Working group tasked with identifying and addressing obstacles to full deployment of broadband infrastructure across Hawaii, particularly in rural and low-income communities.

Working group must submit a report with findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2023 Regular Session convenes.