HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0375.001 2012-2014 P/ ourtcil.
COUNTY CLERK• 1 'I '
3
COUNTY OF HAWAII
ti•
,�i, � Pl �N• 2013 AUG 20 PH 3. 55
REPRESENTATIVE NICOLE LOWEN
HAWAII STATE CAPITOL
415 S.BERETANIA STREET#328
HONOLULU,HAWAII 96813
TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF A RESOLUTION TO INCLUDE HB358 RELATING TO VIDEOCONFERENCING IN
THE 2014 HSAC LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE
Aloha Council Members,
I am offering testimony in support of this resolution to include HB358,relating to videoconferencing,in the 2014 HSAC
Package.
Passage of this bill would be a step towards providing greater access to the State Legislature for neighbor island residents and
towards encouraging their participation and input into the legislative process,thus ensuring that the needs and concerns of
these residents are considered equally.
Without any remote access,the state legislature hears disproportionately from Oahu residents and from lobbyists that are
based in Honolulu. If neighbor island residents wish to testify in person at a hearing,they must fly to Oahu,usually on short
notice and at their personal expense. This can be difficult, if not impossible,for many. Particularly for issues that are
geographically specific to neighbor island locations—for example,Kona coffee—it is important that the legislature provide
opportunities for input to those who are directly impacted by the issue. Now that advances in communication technology
make it possible to bridge distances and expand access,it is the responsibility of the legislature to provide these opportunities
for neighbor island residents when possible.
HB358 is now in conference for the current biennium,as it already passed through both the House and the Senate in the 2013
session. This means that there are fewer hurdles to move it forward. The support of the Counties on this measure would be a
unified voice for neighbor islands and rural residents,and would help to encourage the legislature to reconsider it in the 2014
session.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony.
Nicole Lowen
State Representative, District 6 •
Representative Nicole Lowen • District 6 • Vice Chair,Committee on Water and Land
415 S.Beretania St.,Room 328,Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 • (808) 586-8400 • replowen@capitol.hawaii.gov