HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	133
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

Convening the Legislative Social Media Task Force.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, it is in the State's interest to remain adaptable and open to incorporating established and emerging technologies into its practices to better facilitate its work and functions; and

 

     WHEREAS, in recent years, technologies such as live video streaming services have become routine methods of communication and broadcast of both public and personal events and messages; and

 

     WHEREAS, state legislative caucuses, agencies, and elected officials are increasingly using social media and social networking sites to reach out to and interact with constituents; and

 

     WHEREAS, in section 92-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Legislature "declares that it is the policy of this State that the formation and conduct of public policy - the discussions, deliberations, decisions, and action of governmental agencies - shall be conducted as openly as possible"; and

 

     WHEREAS, utilization of technologies such as recorded broadcasts or live video streaming services may expand access to and participation in legislative hearings and sessions, thus aligning with state policy; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, that a Legislative Social Media Task Force be convened to study issues related to the use of social media platforms in the legislative process, including:

 

     (1)  The technological possibility of testifiers offering their testimony to the Legislature through recorded broadcasts or live video streaming services such as Facebook Live;

 

     (2)  The current capability of the State and the Legislature's information technology infrastructure to relay testimonies through recorded broadcasts or live video streaming services such as Facebook Live;

 

     (3)  The estimated cost of upgrading the State and Legislature's information technology infrastructure so that it may relay testimonies through recorded broadcasts or live video, if the State and Legislature's information technology infrastructure is currently not able to do so;

 

     (4)  Any impact that an alternative broadcasting method for legislative hearings and session may have on any contract the State currently has with Olelo Community Media or any other broadcast service;

 

     (5)  Any specific issues related to using a live video streaming service such as Facebook Live, including any associated fees or costs related to use of the technology or any necessary increase in bandwidth;

 

     (6)  Whether use of a live video streaming service such as Facebook Live would increase the number of households, including households that do not have cable services, that can access broadcasts of legislative hearings and sessions; and

 

     (7)  Any other issues of concern to the Legislative Social Media Task Force; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Social Media Task Force comprise the:

 

     (1)  Chief Information Officer of the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, or the Chief Information Officer's designee, who shall serve as chair; and

 

     (2)  Any member selected by the Chief Information Officer who has relevant knowledge, training, or experience in information technology and communications;

 

provided that the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each appoint at least one member to the Legislative Social Media Task Force; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Legislative Social Media Task Force is requested to convene no later than thirty days after the adoption of this measure; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Legislative Social Media Task Force is requested to submit to the Legislature a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2020; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Legislative Social Media Task Force is requested to dissolve on June 30, 2020; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Information Officer of the Office of Enterprise Technology Services.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Convening the Legislative Social Media Task Force