Panel plans for remote testimony hearing
BOISE — The Idaho House Education Committee is preparing for the second remote testimony pilot project hearing that will offer Idahoans who live more than 100 miles from the Idaho State Capitol the opportunity to testify on bill(s) chosen by the committee’s chairman.
Remote testimony is a piloted project developed by Representative Caroline Nilsson Troy, R-Genesee, last legislative session after one of her constituents, Kathy Dawes of Moscow, wanted to give testimony on a bill but wasn’t able to afford to travel down to Boise.
Rep. Troy agreed to split the cost of a plane ticket to get Dawes to the Capitol and back to Moscow in the same day. However, the hearing for the bill was postponed several times, leaving Rep Troy and Dawes frustrated.
“It’s really difficult for folks very far away to come down have their voice heard. And tfor rural communities, it’s even more difficult because the distances are so far and roads aren’t always good, especially during this time of year,” Rep. Troy said in an interview.
Dawes later testified remotely at KUID-TV at the University of Idaho in Moscow on a House Bill.
“I’m very pleased with it,” Dawes said in an interview with Idaho Public Radio after her testimony. “I hope they continue it, I hope they continue it with other committees.”
The project is being utilized in the House Education Committee and legislation for this year’s remote testimony will be decided by new Chairman Representative Lance Clow, R-Twin Falls.
Chairman Clow addressed committee members Friday morning about possible legislation and asked for any suggestions to improve the legislative’s remote testimony.
“Last year I thought it was a little bit weak in the way that we did it, but we didn’t have any, what I would describe as, bills that might have not attracted a lot of attention,” Chairman Clow said during Friday’s Committee meeting.
The potential bills are House Bill 120 from Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, that would give parents the opportunity to opt-in their children for sex education classes. The other is, House Bill 150 from Rep. Bill Goesling, R-Moscow, that would allow school boards with two vacancies to enter into an Executive Session with a majority roll-call vote. Senate bills aren’t available for this pilot project.
Chairman Clow hopes the two proposed bills will attract more testimonies as last year only three out of the six locations participated. Clow also thinks that the committee may be able to discuss both bills for the hearing, but it depends on response from the public.
The Committee is optimistic about this year’s remote testimony. Rep. Gary Marshall, R-Idaho Falls, says he uses the same technology every week to talk to citizens from Idaho Falls.
“It works great. They can see us, we can see them. It’s a very nice process,” Rep. Marshall said during Friday’s committee meeting.
The date for the remote testimony hearing is yet to be determined as preparation is in its early stages. In addition, the committee must work around the House Revenue & Taxation Committee which meets at the same time.
The room where Revenue & Taxation meets has video and audio capabilities while House Education’s room does not. It is known that the hearing won’t occur on a Monday.
When a date and legislation details are known, the committee will notify the public at least 72 hours before the date of hearing and citizens will be able to register up to 24 hours before hearing. If a location doesn’t have testimonies registered 24 hours in advance, the location will be closed and won’t be able to participant in the hearing.
There are six available locations for the remote testimony hearing:
- College of Southern Idaho (CSI) in Twin Falls
- Idaho Falls Research & Extension Center in Idaho Falls
- Idaho State University (ISU) in Pocatello
- KUID-University of Idaho in Moscow
- Nancy M. Cummings Extension Center, U of I in Carmen
- North Idaho College (NIC) in Coeur d’Alene
Additional information about remote testimony can be found on the Idaho Legislature’s website, https://legislature.idaho.gov/remote-testimony/.
Cheyenna McCurry is a legislative intern with the James A. and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy Research in Boise, and a student in the University of Idaho School of Journalism and Mass Media.