Photo by Kevin Steinhardt/flickr.com
The sponsors of two resolutions that would expand webcasting in the state House of Representatives say they’re confident their legislation will get a stamp of approval from the House Rules and Order of Business Committee on Friday.
House Resolution 1, sponsored by Minority Whip Keith Gardner, R-Roswell, would allow the expansion of webcasting from the House floor to include video. And House Resolution 2, sponsored by Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, would make permanent a temporary House rule that allows webcasting of committee meetings during legislative sessions.
Also pending is Steinborn’s House Joint Memorial 15, which would request that Legislative Council Service, “within budgetary and technological constraints,” webcast audio and video of interim committee meetings starting this year. That legislation isn’t up for a vote on Friday.
But the others are, after being discussed and then temporarily tabled on Wednesday. Steinborn said in an interview he is confident that both will receive the committee’s approval on Friday.
“It would seem that we may be on the verge of a breakthrough here,” he said. “Friday could be a very good day for the citizens of the state with respect to opening these proceedings.”
Gardner said he’s feeling optimistic because he “got a firm commitment from everybody that they were for” his resolution, which is cosponsored by Janice Arnold-Jones, R-Albuquerque. Steinborn’s bill, Gardner said, “has a good chance of passing too.”
Steinborn’s bill is undergoing a rewrite to ensure that it doesn’t affect the ability of journalists, legislators and others to independently webcast committee meetings. The resolution originally combined a permanent rule allowing that with the temporary rule allowing the official webcasts, but Steinborn said the amendment will separate the two rules to ensure there’s no confusion.
Both resolutions would go to the House floor if approved by the Rules Committee. There, they would need the votes of two-thirds of members to pass.
Gardner said there’s no reason webcasting shouldn’t be expanded.
“This is a public building,” he said. “To follow me around with a camera 24/7 is a little bit unfair, but when I step onto that floor, I’m on the people’s floor.”
Friday’s committee meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m.