Bill > SB870

This bill aims to improve remote participation in legislative hearings for residents of Hawaii's neighbor islands and rural Oahu by requiring the Comptroller and State Librarian to collaborate on identifying state office buildings, including libraries, where residents can access telecommunications technology for participating in legislative proceedings. The bill specifically tasks these officials with identifying suitable state buildings that can provide equitable telecommunication access, with a particular focus on ensuring that individuals with disabilities from Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and rural Oahu can remotely engage in legislative hearings. The Comptroller and State Librarian are permitted to partner with the University of Hawaii in this effort and must estimate the associated costs and resource requirements, including potential additional staffing needs. By the end of 2025, they must submit a comprehensive report to the Legislature detailing their findings and recommendations, which may include proposed legislation to support this initiative. The bill's underlying purpose is to reduce financial barriers to civic participation, recognizing the challenges posed by rising travel costs that can prevent residents from engaging in the state's legislative process. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2525, which appears to be a typographical error and likely means January 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=870&year=2026