Legislatures hit cyberspace.

• Author: Bourquard, Jo Anne
• Position: Legislative computer systems - Includes related article

People worldwide can now review bills from Hawaii, voting records from California and state statutes from Utah--courtesy of legislatures linked to the Internet computer information highway.

Internet, a worldwide web of computer networks used by more than 20 million people, now provides virtually free access to legislative information from a handful of states.

Using a personal computer (PC) and modern, individuals with access to Internet can determine the status of a bill in Hawaii, view legislative calendars in North Carolina, find voting records in California and search state statutes in Utah.

Hawaii was the first state to offer legislative information through Internet. Through a tie to the University of Hawaii, first established in 1991, Internet users make a 'telnet' connection to the Hawaii FYI system, which contains the text of bills and resolutions, bill status information, committee hearing notices, Capitol logistical information, a tutorial on how a bill becomes law and more. Hawaii FYI, run by a quasi-governmental organization, provides free access to legislative, local and state government information through the Internet or a direct dial-up.

The California Legislature's approach to providing information through Internet is being watched closely by a number of state legislatures. A bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Debra Bowen and passed in 1993 requires the Legislative Counsel to make the calendar, text of each bill, bill history, bill status, bill analyses, voting information, veto messages, the code, constitution and statutes enacted after Jan. 1, 1993, available through the "largest nonproprietary, nonprofit cooperative public computer network" at no cost. Backers of the legislation mustered support by spreading the word electronically through computer bulletin boards. Assemblywoman Bowen received more than 1,300 pieces of electronic mail urging its passage.

No Trivial Undertaking

However, setting up a secure system to provide access to the massive volume of legislative information was not a trivial undertaking. First-year hardware, software and telecommunications costs will exceed $80,000, according to Bill Behnk, coordinator of Legislative Information Systems in the Office of the Legislative Counsel. He cautions legislators not to be misled into thinking that access will require little more than a $5,000 file server with 1 gigabyte (1 trillion characters) of storage as suggested by some Internet activists. The Legislature...