HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

358

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO VIDEOCONFERENCING.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  Chapter 21, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part    .  COMMITTEE HEARINGS, GENERALLY

     §21-     Videoconferencing; rules.  (a)  Each chamber of the legislature shall establish, by rule, procedures to enable the legislature to use audio or audiovisual technology at legislative committee hearings to receive live oral testimony from residents on the neighbor islands.  Each chamber of the legislature shall identify executive agency sites or facilities on the neighbor islands that have existing audio and audiovisual capabilities that could be used to allow neighbor island residents to present live oral testimony from the neighbor islands.

     (b)  In carrying out the duties prescribed under subsection (a), each chamber of the legislature shall consult with the chief information officer, who shall ensure that the audio or audiovisual technology to implement this section:

     (1)  Satisfies the technical requirements of the State's existing network infrastructure;

     (2)  Adheres to best practices;

     (3)  Is compatible with multiple platforms; and

     (4)  Is provided appropriate resources and support.

     (c)  Each chamber of the legislature shall consult with the disability and communication access board to ensure that all activities conducted pursuant to this section comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act."

SECTION 2.  Chapter 21 is amended by designating sections 21-1 to 21-19 as part I, entitled:

"PART I.  Investigating Committees, General Powers, and Duties of Sergeant-at Arms"

     SECTION 3.  Section 21-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§21-1  Purpose.  The purpose of this [chapter] part is to establish procedures governing legislative investigating committees to provide for the creation and operation of legislative investigating committees in a manner [which] that will enable them to perform properly the powers and duties vested in them, including the conduct of hearings, in a fair and impartial manner, consistent with protection of the constitutional rights of persons called to testify at such hearings and preservation of the public good."

     SECTION 4.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the use of audio or audiovisual technology throughout the State to enable neighbor island residents to present live oral testimony at legislative committee hearings.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the chief information officer for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.



 

Report Title:

Audiovisual Technology; Videoconferencing; Legislative Hearings; Testimony; Teleconferencing; Neighbor Islands

 

Description:

Requires both chambers of the Legislature to implement rules to enable the Legislature to receive live oral testimony from the neighbor islands through audio or audiovisual technology.  Requires each chamber to identify agency sites that have audio or audiovisual capability that could be used for live testimony. Requires consultation with the chief information officer and the disability and communication access board.  Appropriates funds to establish audio or audiovisual systems throughout the State.  Effective 7/01/2050.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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