WAILUKU - Akaku: Maui Community Television and other public-access television stations would not have to compete for their contracts under a bill moving through the state Legislature.
SB707 would allow the state director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to designate the organizations that oversee public, educational and governmental channels on cable television. The bill passed third reading in the state Senate and is now pending before the House Economic Revitalization, Business & Military Affairs, Legislative Management and Finance committees.
Akaku and similar organizations on Oahu, Hawaii island and Kauai hold contracts to manage channels and funding provided by cable providers for public, educational and government television coverage.
The organizations had previously objected to the state's efforts to award their "PEG" contracts by competitive bid, saying the process could be used to stifle or control the stations.
