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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, January 11, 2010

Openness sought from Hawaii Legislature


Associated Press

HONOLULU — Citizen advocacy groups are calling on the Hawaii Legislature to be more accessible to the public by broadcasting more hearings, giving more notice before meetings and posting amendments online more quickly.

Nikki Love of Common Cause Hawaii says these reforms would make the workings of the Legislature available to working people and Neighbor Island residents who don’t have time to show up at the Capitol in person.
One of the proposals asks the House to join the Senate in posting recorded hearings online and for both chambers to webcast more proceedings.
Other ideas ask for three days notice before all legislative hearings, seek immediate online access to bill amendments and request a list of all testifying organizations in committee reports.