STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1481-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.C.R. No. 171

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Legislative Management, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 171 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMITTING TO PROVIDE GREATER PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS BY ADOPTING RULES TO ALLOW FOR VIRTUAL TESTIMONY, HEARING RECORDINGS, AND INTERNET BROADCASTS OF HEARINGS BEYOND PERIODS OF CATASTROPHIC EVENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to improve public access to the legislative process by adopting rules to allow for virtual testimony, recorded hearings, and internet broadcasts of hearings beyond periods of catastrophic events, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Common Cause Hawaii; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, physical access to the State Capitol, hearings, and live testimony was restricted. However, remote meetings were held safely and allowed people from farther distances or with limited mobility to effectively participate. Your Committee further finds that taking advantage of virtual attendance and remote testimony procedures developed during the pandemic would support the continuation of increased public access to the legislative process.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending its title; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Legislative Management that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 171, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 171, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Legislative Management,

____________________________

DALE T. KOBAYASHI, Chair