STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3271

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 152

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 152 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE NEEDS AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AUDIO AND VIDEO TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE ACCESS FOR ALL STATE RESIDENTS TO TESTIFY IN-PERSON ON LEGISLATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Request the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on the needs and costs associated with the implementation of audio and video technology to provide all state residents with the opportunity to provide oral testimony at all legislative hearings; and

(2) Request the Legislative Reference Bureau to submit a written report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than December 1, 2018.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Common Cause Hawaii and O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Legislative Reference Bureau.

Your Committee finds that legislative rules and practices encourage robust debate provided through testimony from members of the public, but such public participation may disproportionately impact citizens on the neighbor islands due to distance and travel costs. By conducting a study on the needs and costs associated with the implementation of audio and video technology for oral testimony at all legislative hearings, this measure will provide a mechanism for full public participation in the democratic process.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 152 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Operations,

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair