Establishing policies for the legislative broadcast program's cablecasts and webcasts of House of Representatives' proceedings.

House Committee on Legislative Management (LMG) - chair: Yamashita, vice chair: Tokioka

Friday, March 11, 2011, 2:30 p.m.. Conference Room 423

Testifier: JoAnn Maruoka, LWV of Hawaii

Click here to view HR63

Chair Yamashita, Vice Chair Tokioka, and Legislative Management Committee members, The League of Women Voters of Hawaii supports the intent of HR 63 to establish policies for the cablecasts and webcasts of House of Representatives' proceedings. To that end, we strongly recommend that you include having the director of the Public Access Room (PAR) make the broadcast selections of House hearings and floor sessions. We find great value in airing legislative proceedings. Not everyone can get to the Capitol, or sit for hours in hearing rooms and chambers. Airing the proceedings gives the people front row seats in their own homes. Because funding is not available for complete coverage, selection of the proceedings to be aired is all-important and should be made with both the importance of the issues and the greatest level of public interest in mind. The PAR Director is the contract administrator for the broadcast project and, in administering the facility, keeps abreast of the issues before the Legislature. It is sound and prudent to have the PAR Director make the broadcast selections. We wholeheartedly support this, and request that you include it in these policies. Thank you for the opportunity to testify on HR 63.