Rep, Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, said he will introduce legislation to expand webcasting of legislative committee hearings in an effort to improve the transparency of the Legislature. One rule change would require that all webcasts of committee meetings during the legislative session be archived. Session webcasts can now only be watched live.
The second rule change, co-sponsored with Senate Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen, would require the Legislative Council Service to begin webcasting all interim committee hearings. Interim committees meet between the legislative sessions and hear presentations on a variety of public policy issues including important ongoing issues in state government. This last summer, there was increased public interest in hearings related to Governor Martinez' shakeup of the state's mental health system.
In 2010, Steinborn sponsored the legislation requiring webcasting of legislative session committee meetings. He said it's time the Legislature take the next step in increasing its transparency and access. Continue>>>
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