Report Title:
Public Meetings
Description:
Allows public meetings by video teleconference to continue even if the video connectivity is interrupted or stopped. (SD1)
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
785 |
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TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO PUBLIC MEETINGS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 92-3.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§92-3.5 Meeting by videoconference or teleconference; notice; quorum. (a) A board may hold a meeting by videoconference; provided that the videoconference system used by the board shall allow both audio and visual interaction between all members of the board participating in the meeting and the public attending the meeting, at any videoconference location. The notice required by section 92-7 shall specify all locations at which board members will be physically present during a videoconference meeting. The notice shall also specify that the public may attend the meeting at any of the specified locations.
(b) Any board member participating in a meeting by videoconference shall be considered present at the meeting for the purpose of determining compliance with the quorum and voting requirements of the board.
(c) A meeting held by videoconference shall be terminated if [both], after the meeting convenes, the audio [and video] communication cannot be maintained with all locations where the meeting is being held, even if a quorum of the board is physically present in one location. Proceeding with a meeting by audio communication is contingent upon the following criteria being met:
(1) All visual aids required by, or brought to the meeting by, board members or members of the public shall have already been provided to all meeting participants at all video teleconference locations where the meeting is held; or
(2) Participants are able to readily transmit visual aids to all other participants at all other locations where the meeting is held by some other means, e.g., fax copies. If copies of visual aids are not available to all meeting participants at all locations where the meeting is held, those specific agenda items related to the visual aids shall be deferred until the next meeting; and
(3) No more than fifteen minutes shall elapse to implement the requirements listed in paragraph (2)."
(d) In the event that videoconference facilities are not available, a board shall consider allowing members to participate by teleconference; provided that a teleconference shall not affect compliance with the quorum and voting requirements of the board.
SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.