04/15/2010 08:00 AM House STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB184 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 184 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
April 15, 2010
8:05 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bob Lynn, Chair
Representative Paul Seaton, Vice Chair
Representative Carl Gatto
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Peggy Wilson
Representative Max Gruenberg
Representative Pete Petersen
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 184
"An Act relating to public access to legislative committee
meetings during regular legislative sessions by Internet
broadcast."
- MOVED HCS SB 184(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 184
SHORT TITLE: INTERNET ACCESS TO LEG COMMITTEE MTGS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) FRENCH
04/07/09 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/07/09 (S) STA, FIN
01/28/10 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
01/28/10 (S) Moved SB 184 Out of Committee
01/28/10 (S) MINUTE(STA)
01/29/10 (S) STA RPT 5DP
01/29/10 (S) DP: MENARD, FRENCH, MEYER, PASKVAN,
KOOKESH
04/07/10 (S) FIN AT 9:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
04/07/10 (S) Heard & Held
04/07/10 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
04/09/10 (S) FIN AT 1:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532
04/09/10 (S) Moved SB 184 Out of Committee
04/09/10 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
04/10/10 (S) FIN RPT 6DP 1NR
04/10/10 (S) DP: HOFFMAN, STEDMAN, HUGGINS, THOMAS,
EGAN, ELLIS
04/10/10 (S) NR: OLSON
04/12/10 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
04/12/10 (S) VERSION: SB 184
04/12/10 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/12/10 (H) STA, FIN
04/15/10 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
SENATOR HOLLIS FRENCH
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced SB 184 as sponsor.
SUE GULLUFSEN, Manager
Legislative Information Office (LIO)
Legislative Affairs Agency
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on SB
184.
TIM POWERS, IT Coordinator
Legislative Information Office (LIO)
Legislative Affairs Agency
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on SB
184.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:05:05 AM
CHAIR BOB LYNN called the House State Affairs Standing Committee
meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. Representatives Seaton, Gatto,
Wilson, Petersen, and Lynn were present at the call to order.
Representatives Johnson and Gruenberg arrived as the meeting was
in progress.
SB 184-INTERNET ACCESS TO LEG COMMITTEE MTGS
8:05:21 AM
CHAIR LYNN announced that the only order of business was SENATE
BILL NO. 184, "An Act relating to public access to legislative
committee meetings during regular legislative sessions by
Internet broadcast."
8:08:14 AM
SENATOR HOLLIS FRENCH, Alaska State Legislature, introduced SB
184 as sponsor. He said the proposed bill would bring the
workings of the legislature to everyplace in Alaska where there
is a computer. He said allowing the people of Alaska to watch
live-streaming of every committee meeting will make them feel
more connected to what goes on in the capitol. Senator French
acknowledged that Gavel to Gavel currently provides coverage of
meetings on cable television throughout the state, but said
Gavel to Gavel is not able to cover every meeting.
SENATOR FRENCH noted that video cameras were recently installed
by the Legislative Affairs Agency on a trial basis in select
committee rooms in the capitol - the House State Affairs
Standing Committee room being one - and prior to the start of
the meeting, some committee members were able to see what that
live-streaming looks like on a computer screen. Senator French
stated, "It's not nearly the same quality as Gavel to Gavel, but
I think, ... in the interest of balancing expense versus
expediency, the web camera is a fair ... compromise." He noted
that the bill would not require the live-streams be archived;
the intent of the bill is to make the video available to the
public as the committees are meeting.
8:12:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON directed attention to the last sentence of
SB 184, on page 1, lines 13-14, which read as follows:
The electronic recordings produced by a fixed camera
under this section are not public records and are not
required to be retained or stored.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked the bill sponsor to confirm that
that would not prohibit the public from recording that which
would be live-streamed from the fixed camera.
SENATOR FRENCH said that language is directed at the state, and
he offered his understanding that the public would be able to
keep records if desired.
8:14:10 AM
SUE GULLUFSEN, Manager, Legislative Information Office (LIO),
Legislative Affairs Agency, in response to a question from
Representative Johnson, confirmed that the live-streaming would
be operated simultaneously with the LIO's audio recording, which
means that the video would turned off when the audio is turned
off, for example, during an at-ease. In response to
Representative Seaton, she said the intent of the LIO is to
live-stream only during committee meetings. However, she said
the LIO could accommodate the legislature if, for example, it
wanted a special presentation live-streamed.
8:16:22 AM
MS. GULLUFSEN, in response to Representative P. Wilson, said she
had not considered offering live-streaming from meetings that
take place in Anchorage during the interim, but she said that
would be a good idea.
8:17:36 AM
TIM POWERS, IT Coordinator, Legislative Information Office
(LIO), Legislative Affairs Agency, in response to Representative
Gatto, clarified that although the audio was not running until
the red light was on, the video camera was.
8:18:00 AM
MS. GULLUFSEN, in response to Representative Petersen, said the
LIO could consider installing video cameras in all the LIOs
throughout the state.
MR. POWERS surmised that Representative Petersen is talking
about a video conferencing solution that would allow the public
to be in an LIO and watch a presenter. He explained that that
would be a separate project; the infrastructure being set up now
is designed to be only a one-way video stream rather than a
synchronized, two-way video stream.
8:19:08 AM
MS. GULLUFSEN, in response to Representative Johnson, said the
budget reflected in the fiscal note would be used to hire
someone part-time and seasonally to run the live-streaming. The
$56,000 designated for equipment would be used to outfit the
other seven committee rooms. She said the LIO plans to absorb
the bandwidth within its present budget.
8:19:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON said he receives a message on his
computer four to five times a day stating that his mailbox is
full, and his requests for expanded bandwidth have been denied.
He indicated that he has been unable to send committee packet
information to his committee because of a lack of bandwidth, and
he expressed concern that the proposed legislation would
exacerbate that problem. He questioned what the addition of
live-streaming in seven other committee rooms would cost and
what it would do to existing bandwidth.
MR. POWERS said he cannot speak to the financial aspect of the
project. Regarding the process, he explained that currently all
the LIO's video is streamed to a company called Watershed. A
person who watches that video is actually pulling that
information off Watershed's web site. He explained that the LIO
has dedicated digital subscriber line (DSL) in place for the
live-streaming that is separate from the state's network.
MS. GULLUFSEN, in response to a follow-up question from
Representative Johnson, said the DSL is the bandwidth that the
LIO plans to absorb in its budget. She offered her
understanding that the state had expressed concern about the
LIO's use of the state's network, which is why the LIO chose to
use an outside vendor.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON said he appreciates knowing the LIO would
be using a dedicated DSL line, because he said he wants to
ensure he will not be more restricted in bandwidth use. He
stated his support of the concept of the bill.
8:22:58 AM
CHAIR LYNN, after ascertaining that there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony.
8:23:15 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to adopt Amendment 1, labeled 26-
LS0833\A.1, Cook, 4/14/10, which read as follows:
Page 1, line 10:
Delete ", except for executive sessions,"
Page 1, line 13, following "progress.":
Insert "However, periods when a committee is in
executive session, in recess, or at ease may not be
recorded, nor may a live audio or video feed of those
periods be made available to the public through
Internet broadcast."
CHAIR LYNN objected for discussion purposes.
8:23:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG objected for discussion purposes. He
asked what assurance there would be that the video live-
streaming is turned off during an executive session.
CHAIR LYNN stated his assumption that it would work the same way
as when the committee goes to an at-ease.
[SENATOR FRENCH nodded.]
8:24:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON recollected that [Mr. Powers] had said
that during an at-ease, the audio would be shut off, but the
video would still be running. She offered her understanding
that the person who runs the LIO equipment during meetings will
have the extra responsibility of running the live-streaming
video.
8:25:52 AM
MR. POWERS confirmed that the LIO plans to turn off the audio,
but leave the video running during an executive session, just as
it would during an at-ease. However, he said the LIO can put a
different plan in place if that is the desire of the
legislature. In response to Representative Wilson, he indicated
that [under SB 184], there would be one person sitting in a room
watching the video streams - up to 9 at the same time;
therefore, that person would have to be contacted for the video
to be shut off.
8:26:41 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON opined that this is a policy call that
should be made before any other video equipment is wired. She
surmised that with Amendment 1, the audio and video would be
turned off automatically when the LIO turned off the recording,
which would mean the person who is watching the video from
another office would not have to be contacted.
8:27:33 AM
CHAIR LYNN said he thinks Amendment 1 would "put what we always
had intended" in statute to be clear.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON stated his preference that the audio and
video or live-streaming be shut off whenever a meeting is at a
standstill, and for a message to show on the video screen during
those times stating what is coming up next, or that the
committee is at-ease, for example. He said he thinks the intent
to broadcast all committee meetings is a good idea, and he
indicated that Amendment 1 would eliminate the unintended
consequence of having the video streaming all day long.
8:30:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN asked Mr. Powers if it would be possible
to control the audio and video with the same button.
8:30:39 AM
MR. POWERS said currently the LIO has two models of equipment in
place, and some of the older equipment has a "physical,
mechanical relay," which switches on and off. He said that
older model's relay "would probably suffice to cut the video
stream also if the video was wired through it." In some of the
newer [meeting] rooms, he related, there is a newer digital
audio system and the red button functions much differently, in
that there is no relay. Where the newer system is used, Mr.
Powers said, the LIO would probably have to figure out a way to
"wire that through in that system also." In response to
Representative Seaton's suggestion to have upcoming information
showing on the screen - "overlays" - he said that would be more
time consuming and would require more staff and more equipment,
because of the need to watch for stops and starts during the
meetings.
8:31:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON expressed his support of Amendment 1. He
said he is not concerned about the issue of at-eases, but he
emphasized the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of
executive sessions.
8:34:36 AM
CHAIR LYNN removed his objection.
8:34:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked what steps would be taken by the
LIO to prevent any of its staff from inadvertently watching the
video during an executive session.
8:35:16 AM
MS. GULLUFSEN said she cannot immediately say what steps she
would take; however, she emphasized that she clearly understands
the importance of executive sessions. Currently, she said, when
committees go into executive session, the moderator in the room
flips a switch so that the session is not recorded. She
stressed that under SB 184, with Amendment 1, it would be
important for that moderator to communicate closely with the LIO
staff who would be running the live-streaming in the other
office, to tell him/her to shut off the video.
8:36:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said he thinks it is important that
there be specific policies in place to address this issue, and
that those policies need to be okayed by Legislative Council.
8:37:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN asked if adopting Amendment 1 would
result in an increased fiscal note.
8:37:23 AM
MR. POWERS imparted that tackling executive sessions only could
be handled by one staff person, because the number of times
executive sessions occur during the course of a legislative
session is very low.
8:37:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN suggested that it may be beneficial to
amend Amendment 1, so that the language applies only to
executive sessions.
8:38:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON reminded the committee that [Mr. Powers]
had said that the system could be wired so that the video and
audio are turned off together, which would not require any
further staff. He acknowledged that [Mr. Powers] had said the
increase in cost would come from adding overlays to the video
live-streaming, and Amendment 1 does not proposed that be done.
8:40:19 AM
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON said any committee she has ever served
on has known well in advance if it was going to go into an
executive session during its meeting; therefore, she said it
would be possible to give the LIO staff notice to pay special
attention to know when to shut down the video for an upcoming
executive session.
8:41:09 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG reiterated his concern that Legislative
Council should have the authority to implement the proposed
language, and he asked if the council already has that
authority.
MS. GULLUFSEN responded that she thinks the council probably
does have the authority, since it already oversees the LIO's
agency.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said he would like confirmation on that
point.
8:42:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG removed his objection to the motion to
adopt Amendment 1. There being no further objection, Amendment
1 was adopted.
8:42:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON spoke of a recent incident in which "our
private information had been hacked into" and "potentially
became public." He said he advocates for public access, but is
particularly concerned about security, especially during
executive session. He stated that he does not want someone to
be able to hack into an executive session.
8:44:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG noted that the proposed bill, as
amended, does not include special sessions.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON pointed out that the legislature sometimes
meets outside of Juneau during special sessions, and if special
sessions were included in the bill language, then [video live-
streaming equipment would have to be set up] around the state
and every committee meeting outside of Juneau would have to be
live-streamed. Not including special sessions in the bill
language would not mean meetings outside of Juneau could not be
live-streamed; it would just not make it mandatory that they
are.
8:46:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said the bill only addresses those
rooms that are already set up with fixed cameras. He then noted
that special sessions often take place in Juneau. He stated,
"I'm wondering if there's a reason, since we're only dealing
with rooms that are already set up for this, why this does not
include special sessions, because all it would require is them
turning on the camera."
8:47:22 AM
SENATOR FRENCH said he shares Representative Seaton's concerns
that [including special sessions in the language of the bill]
could result in inadvertently requiring live-streaming from
places other than the capitol. He said the bill, as amended,
would cover "95 percent of what we do."
CHAIR LYNN concurred with Senator French.
8:48:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN said he thinks SB 184, as amended, is a
good idea. He said Alaska is "one of the most wired states in
the Union, if not the most," and any way to make sessions more
available to the public is "a good thing."
8:48:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN moved to report SB 184, as amended, out
of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes.
8:48:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked for confirmation that the fiscal
note that would be attached is dated 1/29/2010.
CHAIR LYNN and REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN confirmed that is
correct.
8:48:44 AM
CHAIR LYNN announced that without objection, HCS SB 184(STA) was
reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.
CHAIR LYNN thanked supporting staff for their help during
session.
8:49:19 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
State Affairs Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 8:49
a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 01 SB 184.pdf |
HSTA 4/15/2010 8:00:00 AM |
SB 184 |
| 02 SB 184 Sponsor Statement.PDF |
HSTA 4/15/2010 8:00:00 AM |
SB 184 |
| 03 SB 184 KTOO letter.pdf |
HSTA 4/15/2010 8:00:00 AM |
SB 184 |
| Amendment A.1 to SB 184.pdf |
HSTA 4/15/2010 8:00:00 AM |
SB 184 |