Holcomb’s order postpones rules requiring livestreaming of meetings by state agencies

Indianapolis, Indiana – By his most recent executive order, the governor has put regulations mandating the streaming and archiving of video recordings of all state public hearings and meetings on hold until September 1.

Just after 6 p.m. on Monday, the governor discreetly issued the directive.

Jody Madeira, a law professor at Indiana University, examined the directive. She thinks it’s not an aim to restrict public access, but rather a result of the state’s technological shortcomings.

“I literally just think this is whatever, whether it’s a deficit in planning, a deficit in funds, perhaps an order didn’t come through or equipment was faulty,” Madeira said. “But I don’t think we can infer, really, any sinister intent but it does, really, throw a wrench into proceedings where this remote access is needed.”

During this break, agencies that can do so are required by the order to keep recording meetings and livestreaming them. Only those groups that are unable to stream and save the occasionally lengthy sessions through September 1st are subject to the order.

The modification was brought about by problems in streaming an Indiana Family and Social Services Administration hearing in December, as stated in the decision.

“This requirement does have the ability for the governor to delay the implementation of these arrangements by executive order,” Madeira said. “I think it was intelligent of them to build in some mechanism if things didn’t work out quite as they had planned.”

“The Hoosier State Press Association is disappointed to see the Governor delaying essential progress in our access laws. We were proud to support House Bill 1167 during last year’s legislative session because it provided Hoosiers access to government processes that affect their everyday lives. We understand that technical challenges arise, but we will continue to fight for more transparency and accountability in our government and hope the state moves swiftly to rectify the situation.” Hoosier State Press Association