Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Science, Art and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 1449 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require public boards that choose to hold a meeting by videoconference, include in the public meeting notice, information advising the public how they may participate.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Office of Information Practices.

Your Committee finds that Chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, also known as the Sunshine Law, establishes the parameters for providing access to the public of most government functions. Your Committee further finds that vidoeconferencing is an especially useful tool to enhance participation by members of the public who reside in remote areas and cannot easily attend public meetings.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Science, Art and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1449 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.