Urging State Boards To Facilitate Remote Participation In Board Meetings And Provide Board Packets In Advance Of Board Meetings.
Impact
The resolution seeks to permanently implement interactive video conferencing technology for board meetings. This change would allow greater public access and participation, particularly benefiting individuals with disabilities and residents from rural areas or neighbor islands who may otherwise struggle to attend in-person meetings. By facilitating remote participation, SCR66 aims to increase transparency in government operations and enhance civic engagement.
Summary
SCR66 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution from the Thirty-first Legislature of Hawaii, aiming to enhance public participation in state board meetings by urging local boards to adopt remote technology for meetings. The resolution recognizes the over one hundred seventy state boards that play vital roles in providing a platform for citizen input in government decisions. It highlights the importance of accessibility in these meetings, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many boards started conducting virtual meetings to engage the public.
Conclusion
Ultimately, SCR66 aims to modernize the operations of state boards, ensuring that citizen engagement remains a cornerstone of governance in Hawaii. By advocating for remote participation and improved access to meeting materials, the resolution reflects a commitment to fostering a more inclusive and responsive state government.
Contention
One of the notable points of contention surrounding this resolution is the extent of public access to meeting materials. Currently, Hawaii Revised Statutes allow for public inspection of meeting documents but do not mandate their distribution before meetings. SCR66 encourages boards to provide 'board packets' to interested parties at least twenty-four hours before the meetings, potentially leading to debates on the feasibility and logistics of such a requirement, as well as the effectiveness of remote participation in engaging citizens.