By Committee on State Government

NOT ADOPTED 4/15/2015

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  "The legislature has a longstanding commitment to civic engagement and public participation in the legislative process and honors its commitment in numerous ways. To provide information about the legislative process and pending legislation, the legislature supports a robust web site and operates a vital information center. To facilitate communication between the public and legislators, the legislature offers a toll-free hotline and an e-comment system that allow the public to provide written statements and other commentary on pending legislation.

The legislature intends to further its commitment through continued development of the e-comment system, such as modifications that allow the public to provide commentary on pending legislation through prerecorded videos.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 44.68 RCW to read as follows:

The legislature and legislative agencies through the joint legislative systems committee shall modify the e-comment system to allow the public to provide commentary on pending legislation through prerecorded videos and written statements. The systems committee may set up parameters for submission of prerecorded videos and written statements by the public. The house of representatives and the senate may establish procedures for timely distribution of prerecorded videos and written statements to legislators, as well as restrictions on distribution of prerecorded videos and written statements containing inappropriate content.

Correct the title.

EFFECT: States the legislature's commitment to civic engagement and public participation through support of a toll-free hotline and an e-comment system that allows for public comment on pending legislation and its intent through continued development of the e-comment system for commentary through prerecorded videos. Requires the Joint Legislative Systems Committee to modify the e-comment system to allow for commentary through prerecorded videos and written statements. Removes the ability of a legislative member to request statements that contain inappropriate comment to be made available. Places the duty for timely distribution of prerecorded videos and written statements with the House of Representatives and the Senate, rather than the Joint Legislative Systems Committee. Removes material that changes the definition of a legislative record. Changes the name of the act to the "Accessible Legislative Commentary Act."