Gov. Eric Holcomb on Monday issued an executive order postponing new technology requirements for public meetings or hearings on proposed executive branch rules.
The Indiana General Assembly last year required that all such hearings should be webcast on the state website. But it went further to say the technology must allow Hoosiers to attend and comment remotely during the hearings.
Lawmakers don’t require their own branch of government to allow remote attendance and comments but they do livestream all committee hearings and session action.
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Holcomb’s order said the Indiana Office of Technology and Office of Management and Budget have been working to meet the new law but technical challenges remain. He specifically referenced a Dec. 4, 2023 hearing by the Family and Social Services Administration.
“It has been appropriately demonstrated…that the webcasting and archiving of all the rulemaking hearings and public meetings are not yet technically feasible, but progress is being made with the continuing goal to achieve compliance as soon as reasonably possible,” the order said.
Holcomb delayed implementation until Sept. 1.