Bill Text: HI HB2391 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Telecommunications Access For Individuals With Print Disabilities.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-20 - Re-referred to FIN, referral sheet 14 [HB2391 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-HB2391-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2391 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PRINT DISABILITIES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
In 2023, the governor signed Act 247, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, into law, appropriating funds out of the public utilities commission special fund for the public utilities commission to provide free telecommunications access to certain information for persons with a print disability. Act 247 provided $150,000 for both fiscal year 2023-2024 and fiscal year 2024-2025. The legislature finds that Act 247 provides funding for an important service that would be most appropriately funded on an ongoing basis directly by telecommunication carriers whose services are being supplemented rather than through the public utilities commission special fund, which is largely funded through a surcharge to electric ratepayers. The public utilities commission's program will enhance the ho`opono services currently administered by the department of human services.
The legislature further finds that section 269-41, Hawaii Revised Statutes, established the universal service program, the purpose of which, in relevant part, is to, assist customers with disabilities, in obtaining and maintaining access to a basic set of essential telecommunications services as determined by the commission. Additionally, section 269-42(e), Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires the public utilities commission to require all telecommunications carriers to contribute to the universal service program. However, the universal service program is currently not active and there are no funds in the universal service fund. The public utilities commission also lacks clear legislative authorization to develop a program for print disability using the universal service fund. Further, the public utilities commission does not have budget authorization to expend funds for such purpose.
The purpose of this Act, therefore, is to clarify that, under the universal service program, the public utilities commission may provide free telephonic access and telecommunication services for individuals with print disabilities utilizing the universal service fund and may determine the percentage of certain fees collected to be deposited into the universal service fund. This Act also authorizes the public utilities commission to expend funds from the universal service fund for the provision of services for individuals with print disabilities.
SECTION 2. Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding to part I a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§269- Universal
service program; access for individuals with print disabilities. (a)
Under the universal service program, the public utilities commission may
use available funds from the universal service fund to provide free telephonic
access to time-sensitive information, including but not limited to state and
local government information, public notices, emergency alerts, job
opportunities, daily newspapers, and other content, to allow individuals who
are blind or visually impaired to access information and services, so long as
the amount of funds expended from the universal service fund does not exceed $ . The telephonic access shall be configured
accessible to and usable by persons with print disabilities.
(b) The public utilities commission may determine the percentage of telecommunications fees necessary to deposit in the universal service fund to implement the program."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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BY REQUEST |
Report Title:
Public Utilities Commission; Telecommunications Access; Print Disabilities
Description:
Clarifies that the Public Utilities Commission under the Universal Service Program may provide, and may use funds from the Universal Service Fund to provide, free telecommunications access to certain individuals with a print disability.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
