Bill Text: HI SB1353 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 1353 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Cable Television; Hawaiian Language Television; Cable Franchise Fee; Allocation; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-21 - Re-Referred to HWN/CPH, WAM. [SB1353 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-SB1353-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1353
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to hawaiian language television.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that article XV, section 4, of the Hawai�i State Constitution states that, "English and Hawaiian shall be the official languages of Hawaii. . ." The legislature further finds that the Hawaiian language movement has become a leading national and international model for indigenous language revitalization. Today, unlike any other state in the country, there are twenty-one Hawaiian language immersion public schools and eleven preschools in the State, serving over two thousand students annually.

The legislature additionally finds that the media can have a very important part in furthering the efforts to normalize the Hawaiian language throughout Hawai�i. If the Hawaiian language is to reach an equal status with that of the English language in everyday use, the production and distribution of Hawaiian language broadcast media must be adopted.

The legislature also finds that the department of commerce and consumer affairs is authorized to assess franchise fees from cable operators. The use of this franchise fee covers the department's costs to administer chapter 440G, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and also funds public access television, as required under section 440G-8.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes. The department formerly collected 4.64 per cent of a cable system's annual gross revenues but now collects the maximum five per cent. The legislature finds that there remains an unallocated percentage of funds from the franchise fee collection.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of commerce and consumer affairs to allocate a percentage of the unencumbered revenues derived from collected franchise fees for the establishment of a Hawaiian language television channel.

SECTION 2. Chapter 440G, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§440G- Franchise fee; Hawaiian language television; allocation. Notwithstanding any other law or rule to the contrary, the department shall allocate per cent of the unencumbered revenues derived from collected franchise fees for the establishment of a Hawaiian language television channel."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Cable Television; Hawaiian Language Television; Cable Franchise Fee; Allocation; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Description:

Requires the department of commerce and consumer affairs to allocate a percentage of the unencumbered revenues derived from collected franchise fees for the establishment of a Hawaiian language television channel.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.