HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—Connecticut Legislative Committees are adjusting to meeting and working virtually during this 2021 session due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several committees met Thursday via Zoom calls to set the ground rules for operating online, including the Public Safety and Security Committee.
Public Safety Committee Co-chair Representative Maria Horn explained during a meeting Thursday afternoon that committees do reserve a room in the legislative office building for meetings, but the main purpose for those reservations is to avoid too many overlapping committee meetings.
With operations being conducted online until further notice, the Public Safety Committee shared documents with "basic Zoom etiquette" with its members, Horn said.
Despite the challenges that may come with virtual meetings, Horn said she hopes the experience will lead to an improvement in public access.
"For some people, coming down to the Legislative Office Building and having to take an entire day off work in order to testify is onerous," Horn said, "So, maybe that's one small good piece of this is that it will enable people to testify before the committee from home or from work."
With the ability to testify remotely, it's possible people will be given a better or more convenient window of time to ease the process, Horn said.
Accessibility and public participation should be foregrounded moving forward since public comment is critical for proceedings, Horn said.
Since the Capitol Complex is closed, public committee meetings will be broadcasted online for viewing. A full schedule and links for public viewing can be found on the Connecticut General Assembly website.