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 bill moving through the Legislature would set up a Remote Testimony Task Force to come up with procedures to allow the public to submit testimony remotely via the Internet during legislative proceedings.
It’s like Skype. Last week, the bill’s author and a cosponsor gave a test run of the technology, inviting Maui Judge Richard Bissen to speak in support of Maui Rep. Kaniela Ing’s bill 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 sounds good.
But it’s also the 21st century, and waiting for another task force to recommend the obvious sometime next year seems a bit of a no-brainer, no?
