HB 635 Summary

• Requires each house of the legislature to establish rules enabling remote testimony at legislative committee hearings through video conferencing or internet-based telecommunications technology.

• Mandates procedures for the public to submit oral testimony remotely during committee hearings and procedures to accommodate persons with disabilities through remote testimony.

• Appropriates $17,000 for fiscal year 2019-2020 and $3,400 for fiscal year 2020-2021 to the department of accounting and general services for implementation.

• Addresses barriers for approximately 400,000 neighbor island residents in Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui counties who face travel costs exceeding $300 per day to testify in person at the state capitol.

• Takes effect July 1, 2019.