SCR 53 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE COMPTROLLER TO COOPERATE WITH THE HAWAII STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM, OFFICE OF PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, AND HAWAII BROADBAND AND DIGITAL EQUITY OFFICE TO IDENTIFY RURAL AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE WITH A NEED FOR BETTER TELECOMMUNICATION ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STATE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

SCR 53 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Legislative Reference Bureau to partner with the Hawaii State Public Library System. It aims to identify rural and underserved communities needing better telecommunication access so residents can participate remotely in state legislative hearings. The resolution directs the Bureau to collaborate with libraries - using their existing broadband and devices - to create an outreach program informing the public about remote participation tools. It also requires a report by January 2026 detailing findings and recommendations for improving public access to the legislative process. This resolution does not create new laws but coordinates existing state resources to enhance civic engagement.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics: Broadband Access

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Governor

Introduced Mar 7, 2025 Last action Apr 25, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SCR53_HD1 → SCR53_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was substantially rewritten to shift the primary responsibility from the Comptroller to the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB). The original version asked the Comptroller to identify underserved communities, while the new version directs the LRB to lead an outreach program and collaborate with the Hawaii State Public Library System to facilitate remote legislative participation. This change reflects a strategic pivot from a financial oversight role to a public education and community engagement role.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's primary actor changed from the Comptroller to the Legislative Reference Bureau, expanding the LRB's role in public outreach and collaboration with libraries.

REQUIREMENT

The entity responsible for identifying underserved communities and facilitating remote participation changed from the Comptroller to the Legislative Reference Bureau.

A new requirement was added for the Legislative Reference Bureau to establish an outreach program to notify the public about library infrastructure for remote participation.

TIMELINE

The reporting deadline remains twenty days prior to the 2026 Regular Session, but the report now focuses on the implementation of the new outreach program rather than initial findings.

SCOPE

The list of recipients for certified copies of the resolution was updated to reflect the new primary agency, removing the Comptroller and Strategic Broadband Coordinator while adding the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Floor votes · House Apr 14, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Resolution adopted in final form.

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Introduced

Senate agrees with House Amendments. Placed on the calendar for Final Adoption on 04-24-25.

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Introduced

Reconsideration of action taken on 04-15-25; agree to House amendments.

upper

Apr 15, 2025

Amended

Senate disagrees with House amendments.

upper

Apr 15, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 728).

upper

Apr 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Adopted as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2096) as amended in HD 1, recommending adoption.

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Garrett, Kapela, Kila, Olds, Sayama, Muraoka; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Souza.

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to EDN, referral sheet 28

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 494) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported from GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1569) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Mar 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Moriwaki, San Buenaventura, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO added the measure to the public hearing scheduled on 03-25-25 3:00PM; CR 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 11, 2025

Committee

Referred to GVO.

upper

Mar 7, 2025

Introduced

Offered.