With the reopening of the State Capitol to the public on Monday, the state Office of Information Practices is passing along some advice.

Under Gov. David Ige’s current emergency order, photo ID and proof of 1) full vaccination (original, hard copy, or photo/digital copy of state-approved vaccination card) or 2) negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours will be required before entering.

“Please allocate additional time to go through the Covid screening procedures if you have a hearing or appointment at the Capitol,” says a press release from OIP.

Masks are also required, as Ige has not yet lifted the indoor mandate.

House and Senate standing committees will accept written, in-person and remote testimony via Zoom. Click here to learn how to do that.

All Senate and House committee hearings and floor sessions will continue to be streamed live on YouTube. Click here to learn more.

Need more help?

Contact the Legislature’s Public Access Room at (808) 587-0478 or email par@capitol.hawaii.gov. You can also visit PAR’s website, which has video tutorials, step-by-step instructions and reference information about the legislative process and how to participate.

One other thing from OIP: For state boards subject to the Sunshine Law’s notice requirements, the Office of Lieutenant Governor will revert to its pre-Covid procedures and boards should no longer email copies of their meeting notices to that office.

Instead, meeting notices must be faxed to (808) 586-0231 or hand delivered to the LG’s office on the 5th floor of the Capitol building before 4:30 p.m.

The 2022 legislative session began Jan. 19, but only administrators, lawmakers and staff were allowed back in the building, with some exceptions.

Now, if only DAGs would tear down those plywood walls surrounding much of the facility.

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