SB 613 Summary

• Requires each house of the Hawaii Legislature to establish rules enabling remote testimony at legislative committee hearings through video conferencing or other technology facilitating Internet-based oral testimony.

• Mandates procedures allowing the public to present oral testimony at committee hearings remotely, addressing geographic and accessibility barriers faced by residents of neighbor islands and those with time or disability constraints.

• Requires each house to establish procedures accommodating persons with disabilities through remote testimony options.

• Defines "remote testimony" as use of video conferencing or technology enabling the public to submit oral testimony remotely via Internet or other telecommunications during legislative hearings.

• Takes effect upon approval, making permanent the temporary remote testimony arrangements implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.