Editorial: Support live video of State House happenings

Technology can be a beautiful thing, especially when that technology promotes open government.

It seems Gov. Larry Hogan feels the same way, throwing his support behind bipartisan legislation that would outfit the historic Maryland State House with video cameras in order to livestream debates of both the House of Delegates and Senate on the Internet. Video of the debates would also be archived online.

House Bill 316 is sponsored by Del. Kathy Szeliga, a Harford County Republican, and Del. David Moon, a Montgomery County Democrat.

Hogan also said he supports livestreaming voting sessions of all committees. Bill hearings are currently livestreamed, but not all debate and voting sessions are.

While the General Assembly provides audio from floor sessions on its website and archive recordings, Maryland is one of just seven states that don't offer video streaming of legislative floor sessions, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

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