HB1418 • 2026

RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: WARD, ALCOS, IWAMOTO, MATSUMOTO, MURAOKA
Last action: 2025-12-08
Official status: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Wireless Telecommunications Backup Power Requirements

This bill requires wireless telecommunications companies to maintain emergency backup power for at least twelve hours when obtaining permits or certificates from the government.

What This Bill Does

Adds a new rule requiring wireless telecommunication carriers to maintain emergency backup power for a minimum of twelve hours as part of getting construction permits under section 206N-6.
Requires wireless telecommunications companies to demonstrate their capability to maintain emergency backup power for at least twelve hours when applying for certificates of public convenience and necessity under section 269-7.5.

Who It Names or Affects

Wireless telecommunications companies that need permits or certificates from the government for their operations in Hawaii.

Terms To Know

Telecommunications carrier: A company that provides services like phone, internet, and other communication networks.
Certificate of public convenience and necessity: An official document given by the government to a telecommunications company allowing them to provide service in an area.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if a company fails to meet the backup power requirement.
It is unclear how this new rule will be enforced or monitored by the Public Utilities Commission.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-01-27 H
Referred to CPC, referral sheet 4
2025-01-23 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS.
Wireless Telecommunications; Carriers; Backup Power; Facilities
Requires a wireless telecommunications carrier, as a condition for any permit under section 206N-6 or certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 269-7.5, to maintain emergency backup power for a minimum of twelve hours.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1418

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1418

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to telecommunications
.

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

����
SECTION 1.
�
Chapter 206N, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

����
"
�206N-
�
Wireless
telecommunications carriers; backup power.
�

(a)
�
As a condition for any permit under section
206N-6 for a wireless telecommunications carrier to construct, reconstruct, or
alter a telecommunications facility, the telecommunications facility shall
maintain emergency backup power for a minimum of twelve hours.

����
(b)
�

Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the public utilities
commission's authority to regulate wireless telecommunications carriers under
chapter 269 or to require emergency backup power of greater duration.

����
(c)
�

For purposes of this section, "telecommunications carrier" has
the same meaning as in section 269‑1.
"

����
SECTION 2.
�
Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

����
"
�269-
�
��
Wireless telecommunications carriers;
backup power.
�
(a)
�
As
a condition for any certificate of public convenience and necessity under
section 269-7.5 for a wireless telecommunications carrier the application shall
demonstrate that the carrier either:

����
(1)
�
Owns, operates,
or maintains infrastructure used for the provision of telecommunications
services in the state and has the capability to maintain emergency backup power
for a minimum of twelve hours; or

����
(2)
�
Does not own,
operate, or maintain infrastructure used for the provision of
telecommunications services in the state and obtains network access from a
separate utility that has established its capability to maintain emergency
backup power for a minimum of twelve hours.

����
(b)
�

Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the public utilities
commission's authority to regulate wireless telecommunications carriers under
this chapter or to require emergency backup power of greater duration.
"

����
SECTION 3.
�
This Act does not affect rights and duties
that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun
before its effective date.

����
SECTION 4.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 5.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Wireless
Telecommunications; Carriers; Backup Power; Facilities

Description:

Requires
a wireless telecommunications carrier, as a condition for any permit under
section 206N-6 or certificate of public convenience and necessity under section
269-7.5, to maintain emergency backup power for a minimum of twelve hours.

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