Hogan Supports Live Streaming Video Of Legislative Sessions

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Gov. Larry Hogan's administration is supporting a measure to live stream and archive video of General Assembly floor and voting sessions.

Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford expressed support for the bill Wednesday at the Board of Public Works. The board live streams its meetings at an annual cost of between $3,000 and $3,500.

A fiscal analysis of the measure estimates implementing the bill would cost at least $1.2 million. Hogan spokesman Doug Mayer says the Republican governor's office believes it can be done more cost-effectively.

Maryland is one of seven states that don't offer video streaming of legislative floor sessions. The General Assembly currently provides sound from floor sessions on its website and archives recordings. The state also live streams legislative hearings, but not committee voting sessions.

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