RELATING TO THE HAWAII BROADBAND AND DIGITAL EQUITY OFFICE.

The Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office was renamed to the Broadband Office and moved from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to the Office of Enterprise Technology Services within the Department of Accounting and General Services.

The office's duties were narrowed from eight broad responsibilities to eight focused on broadband infrastructure, data governance, and technical assistance, removing explicit digital equity policy mandates.

A new Broadband Assistance Advisory Council was created with 16 members (including state, county, and private sector representatives) to advise on policy and funding priorities for broadband deployment.

Broadband-related duties previously assigned to the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, including telework promotion and broadband assistance, were repealed and transferred to the new Broadband Office.

The previous Broadband Assistance Advisory Council established under Act 199 was repealed and replaced with a new council structure.

A new Broadband Revolving Fund was established in the state treasury to finance broadband projects, internet service costs, and technical assistance positions, with initial appropriations of $200,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026.

The bill's effective date was set to July 1, 3000, which appears to be a placeholder or error that will likely need correction before enactment.

The Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office was moved from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to the Department of Accounting and General Services for administrative purposes.

A new Broadband Revolving Fund was established in the state treasury to support broadband projects, internet service costs, and technical assistance positions.

Five new digital navigator positions were created (2 on Hawaii Island, 1 each on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Molokai) to provide technical assistance to communities.

The Broadband Assistance Advisory Council was repealed, removing the requirement for a 16-member advisory group to advise on broadband policy.

Broadband infrastructure installation exemptions from permitting requirements now require notice to the Broadband Office instead of the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

The Broadband Office now has expanded duties including promoting trans-Pacific submarine cable landing, administering grant programs, and providing a data repository for broadband mapping.

The Act takes effect on July 1, 2025, with $200,000 appropriated from general revenues and $800,000 from the revolving fund for fiscal year 2025-2026.