CAPITOL REOPENS AND LT. GOVERNOR’S NOTICE CHANGES

Posted on Mar 3, 2022 in Featured, What's New

With the reopening of the State Capitol building to the public on March 7, 2022, here is some information that you should know.

Under the Governor’s current emergency order, photo ID and proof of 1) full vaccination (original, hard copy, or photo/digital copy of state-approved vaccination card) or 2) negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours will be required before entering the State Capitol.  Please allocate additional time to go through the COVID screening procedures if you have a hearing or appointment at the Capitol.  Masks are required while visiting the State Capitol.

House and Senate standing committees will accept written, in-person, and remote testimony via Zoom.  Persons wishing to testify on legislative measures probably know by now how to create an account on the Legislature’s website at www.capitol.hawaii.gov so that they can submit written testimony online or receive the link to provide oral testimony online.

All Senate and House committee hearings and floor sessions will continue to be streamed live on YouTube and you can go to the hearing notices on the Legislature’s website or to the Live & On-Demand Video webpage to access the House and Senate YouTube channels.  If you do not have internet access or need assistance to create an account or navigate the testimony process, contact the Legislature’s Public Access Room (PAR) at (808) 587-0478 or email [email protected]. You can also visit PAR’s website (https://lrb.hawaii.gov/par/), which has video tutorials, step-by-step instructions, and reference information about the legislative process and how to participate.

For State boards subject to the Sunshine Law’s notice requirements, the Lt. Governor’s office will revert to its pre-COVID procedures and boards should no longer email copies of their meeting notices to the Lt. Governor’s office.  Meeting notices must be faxed to (808) 586-0231 or hand delivered (after going through the COVID screening procedures) to the Lt. Governor’s office on the 5th floor of the Capitol building before 4:30 p.m.

OIP looks forward to the safe reopening of the Capitol and other public facilities to in-person gatherings.