Testifying Live Via The Internet
A bill calls for a Remote Testimony Task Force to develop procedures for the Hawaii Legislature to have citizens talk to lawmakers remotely.
Let’s say you are following an important piece of legislation at the Capitol.
You can track it online, you can call your representative, you can testify electronically.
Heck, you can even pick up the phone or write a letter.
But, especially if you live on a neighbor island, it’s very likely that you won’t — or can’t — testify in person. Too damn expensive.
A the Legislature would set upÌýaÌýRemote Testimony Task Force to come up withÌýprocedures to allow the public to submit testimony remotely via the Internet during legislative proceedings.Ìý
It’s like Skype.ÌýLast week, the bill’s author and a cosponsor gave a test run of the technology, invitingÌýMaui Judge Richard Bissen to speakÌýin support ofÌý to incorporate the Hawaiian language into the Judiciary website.
Rep. Nicloe Lowen of the Big Island introduced the Internet testimony bill, saying she hears from constituents all the time about wanting to testify.
That all soundsÌýgood.
But it’s also the 21st century, and waiting for another taskÌýforce to recommend the obvious sometime next year seems a bit of a no-brainer, no?
