Bill Text: HI HB1734 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 1734 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Neighbor Island Equal Access To Legislative Hearings Through Videoconferencing.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 5-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-01-22 - Referred to LMG, JUD, FIN, referral sheet 4 [HB1734 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2018-HB1734-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1734
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO NEIGHBOR ISLAND EQUAL ACCESS to legislative hearings THROUGH VIDEOCONFERENCing.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii's geographic formation as an archipelago of islands is an obstacle to active participation in the legislative process by neighbor island residents. While committees accept written testimony, in-person, face-to-face testimony can have more influence on legislators and the media. For a neighbor island resident, however, physically attending a legislative committee hearing and testifying on a measure can cost upwards of $300 per day and require taking time off from work. This is an unreasonable and undemocratic barrier for the approximately four hundred thousand people living in neighbor island counties, who deserve an equal chance to be heard.

Alaska, Nevada, Nebraska, and Washington have successful remote testimony programs. The legislature finds that Hawaii can join these states by creating a way for citizens to testify on legislation through audiovisual technology.

The purpose of this Act is to require that each chamber of the legislature establish the procedures and technical setup necessary for Hawaii residents to present oral testimony at legislative committee hearings through audiovisual technology.

SECTION 2. Chapter 21, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§21- Legislative hearing videoconferencing; rules. Each chamber of the legislature shall establish, by rule, procedures that enable all Hawaii residents to present oral testimony at legislative committee hearings through the use of audiovisual videoconferencing technology."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the purpose of establishing audiovisual videoconferencing technology in all legislative conference rooms.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
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Report Title:

Videoconferencing; Legislative Hearings; Audiovisual Technology; Remote Testimony

Description:

Requires each chamber of the legislature to establish rules that enable oral testimony through audiovisual videoconferencing technology. Appropriates funds for audiovisual technology in conference rooms.

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