Report Title:

Appropriation; Public-Access Pilot Initiative for Students

Description:

Appropriates funds to the legislative reference bureau to support a public-access pilot initiative to encourage students to participate in the legislative process. (HB1359 HD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1359

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCESS.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that our democratic process is based on citizen participation, and the founders of our nation agreed our democracy could only be maintained through an educated and informed citizenry. The legislature further finds that public-private partnerships, such as Kids Voting Hawaii, educate Hawaii schoolchildren about the electoral process and instill in them a sense of civic responsibility that, it is hoped, will continue into adulthood. The legislature further believes that it is imperative to encourage and support similar public-private partnerships that will educate Hawaii's youngest citizens about state government and the state legislative process.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to support public-access pilot programs that will expand the range of student participation in the regular session of 2004 through the use of online discussions, videoconferencing, and other electronic technology.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004 for public-access pilot programs to increase the involvement of Hawaii students in the legislative process during the regular session of 2004.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the legislative reference bureau for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.