HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 47 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled January 10, 2007 Directing the House Committee on Rules to adopt procedures that provide for Internet broadcasting of the video and audio transmission of the daily sessions of the House of Delegates to the citizens of the Commonwealth. ---------- Patrons-- Englin, Brink, Ebbin and McClellan ---------- Referred to Committee on Rules ----------

WHEREAS, the number of states that provide coverage of their state legislatures continues to grow; and

WHEREAS, as of February 2006, live proceedings of floor sessions from 40 states and approximately three-fourths of the nation's 99 legislative chambers were available on the Internet (webcasts); and

WHEREAS, citizens in these states have the expanded opportunity to view their legislatures in the convenience of their homes and places of work; and

WHEREAS, the Senate of Virginia recently opened its floor sessions for video streaming over the Internet as well as for public television coverage; and

WHEREAS, the House of Delegates provides a closed circuit broadcast of floor sessions to the buildings of Capitol Square in downtown Richmond but does not provide access to the public for viewing the House of Delegates' proceedings through the Internet; and

WHEREAS, having informed and engaged citizens requires openness and ready access to government proceedings; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the House Committee on Rules adopt procedures that provide for Internet broadcasting of the video and audio transmission of the daily sessions of the House of Delegates to the citizens of the Commonwealth. Such procedures shall be adopted no later than the first day of the 2008 Regular Session of the General Assembly; and be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates, under the direction of the House Committee on Rules, shall disseminate information regarding the rules of access and use of transmissions of the sessions of the House of Delegates.