STAND. COM. REP. NO.  653

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.B. No. 358

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, 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 neighbor island residents' participation in state government by requiring both chambers of the Legislature to establish procedures to enable neighbor island residents to present oral testimony at legislative committee hearings through the use of audiovisual technology, including by seeking out executive agency sites or facilities that have existing audio and audiovisual capabilities, and appropriating funds.

Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association, Advocates for Consumer Rights, Country Talk Story, Na Kupuna Moku O Keawe, Ohana O Kaua‘i,  two members of the Maui County Council, and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.  An individual testified in opposition of this measure.  The Office of Information Management and Technology, Department of Accounting and General Services, and a few individuals provided comments on this measure.

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

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair