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(-- <br /> i.If N. Roy Takemoto <br /> 7 Managing Director <br /> �J G <br /> Harry Kim '+j p\,.!1•:\1#:• <br /> .tlaror <br /> • +•'�.` Barbara J. Kossow <br /> �Tr of M►.�!-' Deputy Managing Director <br /> County of Hawai`i <br /> Office of the Mayor <br /> 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 <br /> KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br /> (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> February 7, 2020 <br /> Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair <br /> Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair <br /> Committee on Ways and Means <br /> Dear Chair Dela Cruz, Vice Chair Keith-Agaran, and Committee Members: <br /> RE: HB 1153, HD1, SD1 Relating to Remote Testimony in Legislative Hearings <br /> Article I, Section 1, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii provides that "All political power <br /> of this State is inherent in the people and the responsibility for the exercise thereof rests with the <br /> people." In that spirit, and over the course of its history, the Hawaii State Legislature has been <br /> dedicated to assuring citizen participation in its activities and has often been at the forefront of <br /> innovations that enhance that participation and make it more effective. <br /> Technology has now reached the point where persons with disabilities, residents of rural Oahu, <br /> and neighbor island residents, can be enabled to more fully participate in the legislative process <br /> without experiencing inconvenient, expensive and/or time-consuming travel to the Capitol. Exactly <br /> how that should be done, without jeopardizing the need for an expeditious legislative process, may <br /> require further thought and deliberations, and that is exactly what HB 1153, HD1, SD1 would allow. <br /> HB 1153, HD1, SD1 does not presuppose a method, but neither is it just another "study." Truly action <br /> oriented, it mandates the outcome that remote testimony shall be allowed, and then leaves it to each <br /> house to figure out the details. That is the kind of balance that this Legislature is known for and can <br /> be proud of. <br /> An earlier generation of Hawaii leaders recognized that all residents of the State deserve <br /> equal educational opportunities, regardless of where they live. Now today's generation of leaders is <br /> better assuring that all have equal access to their government. Thank you for taking this next step. <br /> I hope you will approve HB 1153, HD1, SD1. <br /> Respectfully Submitted, <br /> 7/" / x <br /> Harry Kim <br /> MAYOR <br /> County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />