STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1355

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 358

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 358, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VIDEOCONFERENCING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to increase participation in the legislative process by expanding access to legislative hearings for neighbor island residents.

 

     Specifically, this measure:

 

     (1)  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;

 

     (2)  Requires each legislative chamber to identify executive agency sites or facilities that have audio and audiovisual capabilities that may be used for live oral testimony under this measure; and

 

     (3)  Appropriates funds for the use of audiovisual technology throughout the State for the purposes of this measure.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services and thirteen individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board and the Office of Information Management and Technology.

 

     Your Committee recognizes that while written testimony may be submitted to the Legislature by various electronic means, the presentation of live oral testimony requires neighbor island residents to travel to Oahu.  For some, this is a cost-prohibitive option that may discourage active, in-person participation at legislative hearings.  Your Committee finds that this measure will enable neighbor island residents to provide live oral testimony through the use of available technology.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Requiring each legislative chamber to consult with:

 

          (A)  The Chief Information Officer of the State, who shall ensure that the audio or audiovisual technology to be used:

 

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

 

(ii)  Adheres to best practices;

 

(iii)  Is compatible with multiple platforms; and

 

(iv)  Is provided appropriate resources and support; and

 

          (B)  The Disability and Communication Access Board to ensure that all activities conducted pursuant to this measure comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act;

 

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (3)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 358, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 358, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair