HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	216
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATURE TO EXPLORE THE OPTIONS OF TELECOMMUNICATING FOR COMMITTEE HEARINGS.

     WHEREAS, Hawaii is a state comprised of multiple islands of which more than 400,000 people live outside the island of Oahu; and

     WHEREAS, testifying in Legislative hearings requires neighbor island residents to purchase airfare to Oahu often at less than 48 hour notice, in order to appear at the State Capitol; and

     WHEREAS, this travel creates a financial hardship, often an insurmountable obstacle, to those individuals wishing to testify, often resulting in the exclusion of a third of the state population from the legislative process; and

     WHEREAS, new technology allows for teleconferencing at points on the neighbor islands which can be viewed at the capitol by committee members without requiring travel; and

     WHEREAS, this new technology would provide increased opportunity for constituent input from neighbor island residents; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the Senate concurring, that the Sergeant at Arms Offices of both the House and Senate report on the feasibility of creating a telecommunication system which allows neighbor island residents to testify from their home island via telecommuting; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report also consider the current cost of testifying to neighbor island residents; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report also consider the costs of telecommunication equipment; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report also consider the forum that would best meet the needs of outer island residents and Hawaii Legislators; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of the Sergeant at Arms of each house may collaborate with any State office, public utility, business, school, or organization which can provide guidance on the appropriate appliance of a telecommunication system; and

     Be it further resolved that this report should be submitted and filed no later than 20 days prior to the commencement of the 2012 Legislative session

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to Governor of the State of Hawaii, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate and the Mayor of each County in the State of Hawaii.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Requesting the Legislature to explore telecommuting options for committee hearings.