HI SR197

Adopts new Senate Rule 38.5 authorizing the Senate President to permit virtual attendance at Senate meetings during periods of catastrophic disaster for good cause.

Members participating virtually are counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum under Senate Rules 22 and 34, with the presiding officer counting both physically present members and those attending virtually.

Defines "catastrophic disaster" to include severe or prolonged natural or human-caused occurrences such as conflicts, terrorism, economic crises, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or other events severely threatening life, health, property, infrastructure, or financial security.

Requires virtual attendance technology to allow members to authenticate participation, simultaneously hear or read comments from recognized members, participate vigorously in debate, and send and receive meeting documents.

Mandates that if a member's virtual access is interrupted, the meeting shall recess until equal access is restored for all participating members.