HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1547

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO REMOTE TESTIMONY.

 

 

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

 


SECTION 1.  (a)  There is established a remote testimony task force to develop procedures for the public to submit testimony remotely via the Internet during legislative proceedings.

(b)  The task force shall be composed of:

     (1)  A member of the senate to be selected by the senate president;

     (2)  A member of the house of representatives to be selected by the speaker of the house;

     (3)  The senate clerk;

     (4)  The house clerk;

     (5)  A representative from the senate data systems office;

     (6)  A representative from the house data systems office;

     (7)  The coordinator of the public access room of the legislative reference bureau;

     (8)  The chief information officer of the office of enterprise technology services; and

     (9)  A representative that has knowledge and experience with the barriers faced by hearing or vision impaired people.

     (c)  The members of the task force shall elect a chairperson from the members.

     (d)  The task force shall develop procedures to make available remote testimony technology that enables the public to submit oral testimony remotely via the Internet during legislative proceedings.

     (e)  The task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2018.

     (f)  The task force shall cease to exist upon adjournment of the regular session of 2018.

     SECTION 2.  Chapters 92 and 92F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall not apply to the remote testimony task force, task force members, deliberations, proceedings, and work product relating to the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  Each chamber of the legislature shall consider the task force's report and shall adopt rules that establish procedures to enable Hawaii residents, including neighbor island residents, to present oral testimony at legislative committee hearings through the use of remote testimony technology.

     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 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for establishing remote testimony capability throughout the State to enable Hawaii residents, including neighbor island residents, to present oral testimony at legislative committee hearings.

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

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

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Remote Testimony; Oral Testimony; Legislative Hearings; Task Force; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the Remote Testimony Task Force to develop procedures to make available remote testimony technology throughout the State that enables the public to testify remotely via the Internet during legislative proceedings.  Legislature to adopt rules to establish remote testimony capability.  Makes an appropriation.

 

 

 

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