Eavesdropping on Public Policy.

• Author: Rose, Gene

What's going on in America's first branch of government? Thanks to state legislators embracing the Internet, it doesn't take long to find out.

On March 8, state legislators across the country debated and passed legislation on gun control, HMOs, college savings accounts, school violence, state budgets, charter schools and the Green Bay Packers.

I didn't have to wait until the following day to read it in the official records or through newspaper accounts. I know because I was there. And I didn't have to leave my desk.

While the national media focused on the presidential race following the Super Tuesday primary, I set my attention on public policy debates that were taking place in more than 20 state legislative chambers or hearing rooms. With nothing more than a list of links and a sound system on my computer, I spent most of the day eavesdropping on legislators from Maryland to California.

When I wrote an article on legislatures broadcasting their proceedings on the Internet two years ago, only seven states were providing full access to their proceedings. This year, 22 states allow anyone with access to a computer and a sound card to listen in live. Several also provide a video signal, and more and more states are extending their offerings to committee hearings.

States continue to show great innovations in broadcasting their proceedings. The South Carolina Senate provides closed captioning for its feeds. Nebraska produces a daily video clip of the day's activities, and more states keep archived records online. States with video broadcasting are beginning to use graphics to identify speakers.

Listening to the legislature is further enhanced since states also offer unprecedented online access to bills, schedules, member information and even online activities for students.

I was not able to visit every state that had Internet access. Among those not included because legislatures were not in session or simply bad timing on my part are: the California Assembly, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan House, Minnesota House, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas Senate and Wisconsin Senate.

Here are some highlights of my national state legislative tour on March 8.

Maryland Senate, 9:15 a.m. (audio)

www.mlis.state.md.us/asp/listen.asp

With the cost of gas rising steadily and a federal report released the day before saying fuel could hit $1.80 a gallon by summer, Maryland senators consider final action on a gasoline price control bill. The legislation, SB 597, prohibits gas stations from selling below cost except for specific instances. I find out on the Web site later that the bill eventually is approved and goes to the House on a 26-19 vote.

Maryland House, 9:26 a.m. (audio)

www.mlis.state.md.us/asp/listen.asp

In 1997, Maryland was hit with an outbreak of Pfiesteria, a toxic algae linked to fish kills. It has been suggested but, according to a Maryland Department of Natural Resources Web site, not proved that runoff from agricultural operations was a contributing factor. House members debate an amendment to HB 327 designed to get more farmers to participate in a state program to clean up state waters. House members approve the amendment 96-26.

Georgia Senate, 9:36 a.m. (video)

www.ganet.org/services/leg/audio/nolive.html

With a bigger and clearer screen than most corporate Web sites with video...