2017-02-23 Letter to Rosalyn Baker RE SB760, SD1 / SB1201, SD1

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-'Mtv.os p ' cPc� ' '''''. Wil Okabe 101,/7‘ •rManaging Director Harry Kim Mayor • - Barbara J.Kossow Deputy Managing Director fOS M�' (gouttfu. ofatl c- Offirr of tip Cltavrar 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg.C • Kailua-Kona,Hawai`i 96740 (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 February 23, 2017 Senator Rosalyn Baker Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health Hawai'i State Capitol Honolulu, HI 96813 Dear Chairs Baker and Tokuda, and members: RE: SB 760, SD 1, SB 1201, SD 1 Thank you for this opportunity to testify against SB 760, SDI, and SB 1201, SD1 in their present form, but to urge further consideration. SB 760, SD1, and SB 1201, SDI deal with the installation of telecommunication facilities on county-owned property. They are complicated, far reaching in scope, and raise substantial questions related to fairness and public safety. Fortunately, our concerns are mirrored by the State and the other counties, and we trust that the legislative process will yield a satisfactory result. While we are not well positioned to negotiate the details of these bills, it is our understanding that the City and County of Honolulu is working with the telecommunication companies to find common ground. We look forward to the outcome of those discussions. Primary among numerous concerns we have is that, if these bills were to pass in their present form, the County could not adequately protect against the overburdening of its equipment, which could cause interference with the County's existing equipment or system. The bills raise concerns because they say actions relating to the installation, construction, development, or improvement of broadband networks will be exempt from County permitting requirements. The bills do not state that an entity seeking to install or construct equipment for a broadband network must apply with the State or an affected utility or County, but instead provide that an entity proposing such an action must post County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.