Remote Participation 2023
Remote procedure rules in 2023 have continued to evolve by signaling the end of many emergency orders and, in some cases, the adoption of permanent remote procedure policies.
During COVID-19, many legislatures enacted temporary rules about remote participation by legislators that were in some way tied to the pandemic. This persisted into 2021 when some chambers codified procedures, but most rules allowing for remote participation were still temporary or tied to an emergency declaration. By 2022, an era of hybrid meeting options was ushered in. Legislatures started to investigate if and how remote procedures could be incorporated into everyday business, not just in cases of emergency.
Today, many of the emergency declarations by governors or chamber leadership have expired and, consequently, so are the emergency remote procedures. However, in part due to the pandemic, we are now seeing permanent remote participation rules in legislatures across the country.
The two maps below indicate chambers that currently allow legislators to participate remotely in legislative proceedings on the floor or in committees, based on 2023 chamber rules. As legislative proceedings have evolved over the past year, this chart may not reflect all remote participation practices in use.
Remote Participation in 2022
2022 brought many changes to remote procedure in legislatures, including a return to in person committee and floor actions. Between January and March, the key word for legislative operations was flexibility -- chambers adopted rules or implemented remote participation policies in a myriad of ways. Some chambers chose to implement a remote participation policy for legislators for the entire session while some chose to reconsider their policies every few weeks. Even still, some chambers have met in person the entire session. Some legislative chamber rules allowing for remote participation are temporary or are tied to an emergency.
The ways in which legislatures allow for remote participation vary, including the use of virtual tools such as web-based meeting platforms, conference calls, proxy voting or via participating within a capitol location but not within the chamber. While some legislatures have met with all members, or most, participating remotely, some remote participation have allowed others to use a “hybrid” approach to meeting, where some or most members are in-person and others virtual.
The two maps below indicate chambers that currently allow legislators to participate remotely in legislative proceedings, based on 2022 chamber rules, chamber or legislative policies, or practices. As legislative proceedings have evolved over the past year, this chart may not reflect all remote voting practices in use.
Remote Participation in 2021
Just as they did in the first year of the pandemic, many legislative chambers adopted provisions in 2021 to allow legislators to participate remotely in legislative proceedings, both on the floor and in committee. Most 2021 chamber rules allowing for remote participation are temporary or are tied to an emergency. The ways in which legislatures are allowing for remote participation vary, including the use of virtual tools such as web-based meeting platforms, conference calls, proxy voting or via participating within a capitol location but not within the chamber. While some legislatures have met with all members, or most, participating remotely, some remote participation have allowed others to use a “hybrid” approach to meeting, where some or most members are in-person and others virtual.
The two maps below indicate chambers that allow legislators to participate remotely in legislative proceedings, based on 2021 chamber rules, chamber or legislative policies, or practices. As legislative proceedings have evolved over the past year, this chart may not reflect all remote voting practices in use.
Remote Participation in 2020
Beginning in March 2020, one or both chambers in at least 28 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and the Virgin Islands adopted or enacted measures to allow for remote participation or voting, or proxy voting, by members in floor sessions or committee meetings. Some chambers and committees, nevertheless, have chosen not to meet remotely. Also, chamber rules or statutes adopted or enacted prior to 2020 in several states also authorize remote committee proceedings. In most states, the changes were temporary and tied specifically to the COVID-19 emergency. They are:
- Arizona House (by motion)
- Arkansas House and Senate (HR 1001 and SB 2)
- California Assembly or Senate (HR 100, SR 86)
- Colorado House and Senate (HR 1002 and SR 5)
- Connecticut House and Senate (HJR 28, HR 101)
- Delaware House and Senate (HCR 85)
- Georgia House and Senate (HR 1507 and SR 1010)
- Hawaii House and Senate (HR 188 and SR 197)
- Illinois Senate (SR 1201)
- Kentucky House (HR 133)
- Louisiana Legislature (SR 45, SB 466)
- Maine Legislature (Joint Order SP 9)
- Massachusetts House and Senate (HR 4676 and Senate Report 2688)
- Michigan Legislature (SB 1108)
- Minnesota House and Senate (Rule 10.01, SR 229)
- Nevada Assembly and Senate (AB 2, AR 2, AR 1, SR 4, SR 1)
- New Jersey Legislature (AB 3852 and AB 3850)
- New Mexico House and Senate (HR 1 and SR 1)
- New York Assembly and Senate (AR 854 and SR 3108)
- North Carolina House and Senate (HB 1044, HB 1230, SB 704)
- Oklahoma House and Senate (HR 1032, SR 17, Senate motion)
- Pennsylvania House and Senate (HR 834, HR 908 and SR 318)
- Rhode Island Senate (SB 2846)
- South Dakota Legislature (announcement and arrangements)
- Utah House and Senate (SJR 16)
- Vermont House and Senate (SR 10, SR 11, SJR 48, HR 17 and HR 18)
- Virginia House (HR 514, HR 515)
- Wyoming (Joint Rules 23-1(o))
- District of Columbia (B 23-718)
- Guam (R 323)
- Virgin Islands (No. 33-20-004)