Some Spokane area lawmakers are touting a new remote testimony pilot project to enable local citizens to testify at Senate hearings.
The idea behind the remote testimony is to allow local citizens a chance to give input in real time at hearings in Olympia without having to travel all the way across the state.
The two new remote locations are Eastern Washington University’s Cheney campus and the Spokane Valley City Hall.
The idea is welcome news for Sen. Mike Padden (R-Spokane Valley).
“This allows someone to make a statement on why they like or don’t like the bills and this just gives them an opportunity to part of the process,” Padden said.
Opportunities to register for remote testimony will be listed on the state Senate website. Registration forms need to be submitted 24 hours prior to a committee hearing start time. The next legislative session begins January 14.
You can find more information here.
http://leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/Pages/RemoteTestimony.aspx