Remote testimony is finally coming to the Washington state House. On March 21, the House adopted on a voice vote HR 4621 (Requesting information on options and recommendations for a pilot remote testimony program). In exciting news, the House Executive Rules Committee recently approved a remote testimony pilot for the 2020 session. According to legislative staff:

“The pilot as approved by Executive Rules:

• Permits three standing committees to use remote testimony during the 2020 legislative session, including:  College & Workforce Development; Housing, Community Development & Veterans; and Local Government.  
   
• Includes four remote testimony locations: Bellingham, Ellensburg, Spokane, and the Tri-Cities.
   
• Permits one committee per time slot to use remote testimony, on a first-requested, first-served basis.
   
• Provides an evaluation of the pilot project to the Executive Rules Committee by July 1, 2020.

The availability of remote testimony for a particular bill will be listed in meeting notices in Legislative Meeting Schedules, listserv notices, and online, and also announced using strategies to enhance public awareness. Links to a web-based sign-in system for remote testimony will be included.”

Earlier this year the Senate made remote testimony a permanent option for its public hearings. In recognition of the Senate’s lead on this important reform, WPC awarded Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane) and Senators Mike Padden, (R-Spokane Valley), Sharon Brown (R-Richland) and Guy Palumbo (D-Maltby) with our inaugural Summit Award for their successful efforts to strengthen the ability of citizens to participate in government via remote testimony.

Six years ago, we made a pitch to Washington lawmakers to embrace remote testimony. With the House now joining the Senate, it is exciting to see the full legislature taking the final steps to embrace this important reform.