HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-13 Letter to Angus McKelvey re HB 624, HD1 M1Y or
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Harry Kim
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25 Aupum Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
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February 13, 2017
Representative Angus McKelvey
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Hawai'i State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair McKelvey and members:
RE: HB 624, HD1
Thank you for this opportunity to testify against HB 624, HD1 in its present form.
HB 624 and 625 both deal with the installation of telecommunication facilities on
county-owned property. HB 624, HD1 raises concerns because it says actions relating
to the installation, construction, development, or improvement of broadband networks
will be exempt from County permitting requirements (somewhat different from "shall
permit" in HB 625, HD1). The bill does 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 states that an entity proposing such an action must post
notice of this intent on the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affair's website.
This bill also allows "utilities" (but not the State or counties) to reject an application to
co-locate if it is going to overburden existing equipment.
I also read HB 624, HD1 as probably needing more revising because some
definitions and procedures don't match up or need to be clarified.
At a minimum, we would ask that HB 624, HD1 be amended to state that an
entity proposing the installation, construction, development, or improvement of
broadband networks must file a written request to do so with the State, and allow the
counties to reject an application if it proposes an installation that might interfere with or
overburden existing equipment.
Re . :ctfull bmitted,
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Harry Kim
Mayor
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer