Hearings of the
House Committee on Rules
Legislating in the Information Age
Chief Deputy Director, Nevada Legislature Counsel Bureau
Mr. Chairman, my name is Steve Watson, Chief Deputy Director at the Nevada Legislature and I would like to thank you for this opportunity to share with you and the committee various technological changes that have occurred in our Legislature.
As you know, the legislative process encompasses Legislators, Legislative Staff, Lobbyists, the Executive and Judicial branches and the Public. Nevada strives to improve the legislative process for all concerned parties through implementation of new technology each session.
During the past two sessions, Nevada has automated its bill drafting system, provided wireless lap top computers for Legislators, enhanced the front desk systems of the Senate and Assembly, created a web page with Legislative information including bill tracking and a means for the public to give their opinions by voting on bills over the Internet, tested a digital CD ROM recording system in Senate and Assembly hearing rooms, programmed our own legislative electronic voting system in the Senate and Assembly, developed and installed a computer based in-house cable TV system, installed a computer based telephone answering and transferring system, installed an automated system to control heating and air-conditioning, upgraded our security system with additional monitors and card key access, installed a new computer based fire alarm system and even put in an automated picture ID card system maintained by Legislative Police.
As you can tell, automation is multi-dimensional.
In 1991 Nevada became the first state legislature to utilize video conferenceing between our major population center in Las Vegas and the Legislature in Carson City; some 450 miles apart. The public, in Las Vegas, was able to provide testimony during legislative hearings just as we are doing today. In addition, during the interim, legislators are able to meet using video technology, without expending a lot of travel time and additional travel expenses. Through travel cost savings, the system was able to recover all its start up costs in less then 2 years. At that time we could only use one of our legislative hearing rooms. Today we have a centralized computer based system that controls our in-house cable TVsystem, video conference system and Internet sound system for all 11 legislative hearing rooms and the Senate and Assembly Chambers. Our goal was to provide better access and legislative information to the groups I have previously mentioned. Through the use of video conferencing, we have opened the lines of communication to those people that can not attend legislative hearings in person. The public attendance at Legislative hearings has increased. The awareness of what is taking place at the Legislature has also increased through the use of audio on the Internet. All of the legislative hearings and chamber activities are broadcast live over the Internet. We have received a large number of thank yous for adding this service. In fact, we received one e-mail from a former State Legislator that was visiting Singapore and listened to testimony from our Senate Finance committee over the Internet. Another thank you we received was from a number of press people that were able to cover more hearings because of the automation.
One of your questions asked if these plans, trends and innovations mirror those of other state legislatures? I feel they do. Through organizations like NCSL and staff sections like NALIT, we are able to meet with our counter parts to share ideas and discuss problem solving solutions. A case in point is with our new in-house cable television system. We met and visited Denny Heck, President at TVW in Olympia, Washington. He has the best in house television system that I have seen and has been a great help in providing assistance to us.
Legislators reaction to automation is greatly improved over the last 2 years. While lap top computers were provided to all the Legislators during the 1997 session, only about a third were used. Since we have biennial sessions, our next session was this year and our usage increased to 95%. The usage went up because we listened to the Legislators of 1997 regarding their wants and needs and then made the necessary changes and enhancements. The members of the Legislature have really embraced the new technologies as it helped to reduce the legislative days from over 160 in 1997 to the public mandate of a 120 day legislative session. Legislators may use their lap tops anywhere within the building without have to plug them in to a network as we have installed a 918 megawatt fm wireless system. The capabilities on the laptop included access to the Internet and all the bills, amendments and resolutions, the bill tracking system, e-mail for the public, other legislators and their secretaries, word processing, and the state budget. We also video tape all hearings and make this information available for purchase. Various legislators have requested tapes on hearings they could not attend so they can review what took place regarding issues important to them.
The enhanced front desk operation increased the efficient use of legislative staff by reducing the amount of overtime, automating the maintenance of historical records and providing real time updated information on bills to the public. As soon as bill information was introduced and acted on, you could find that data on our Internet site. Instead of having to wait for the bill to return from the state printer the next day, you could print the bill text immediately. This improved the speed in which committees could take action. This also provided information to the public in a most timely manner thereby improving communications and interactions between members and their constituents.
The public perceptions of the Nevada Legislature has improved as these technological changes have been implemented. They now have total access to all legislative hearings through the Internet. They have up to date schedules of when hearings will start and the subject matter. Executive Branch staff do not have to waste time sitting in a hearing waiting their turn but can tell when their subject is about to be discussed and then come to the legislature. We have also discussed providing the video portion to local access channels during the next legislative session and even to put some hearings on real video over the Internet.
The impact on staff resources has been rewarding. Through the successful implementation of accessible data bases, in house tv, video conference and immediate distribution of bill information, the support staff has had more time to deal with legislator issues. The additional staff requirements were minimal. We utilized our own Information System staff to enhance the front desk system, the Internet system and public reaction system and contracted for programming help rather than hiring a contractor to write a new system. We have tried using contractors and found this new arrangement to work better. As for the TV/Video conference system, we utilize a computer system interfaced with the sound system that moves cameras when legislators speak thereby eliminating the need for cameramen. Everything is controlled in one central location utilizing 2 staff.
To minimize arguments made against the use of technology in the legislative process, the Legislative Commission has established a subcommittee on computer applications made up of 3 Senators and 3 Assemblyman. They meet quarterly to discuss, monitor and make recommendation to staff. The current chairman is Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick. He wanted to here today but is attending a CSG West meeting. He wanted you to know that he is very proud of the advancements the Nevada Legislature has made and would invite you to visit us for a demonstration.
While I have not covered all of our systems in detail, I would like to reserve the time for questions and general discussion.
Thank you again for this opportunity.
