Teleconferencing centers.

Existing law establishes, until January 15, 2015, the California Technology Agency, administered by the Secretary of California Technology. The agency and the secretary, among other duties, are required to establish and enforce state information technology strategic plans, policies, standards, and enterprise architecture. Existing law also, pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, allows an adjudicative proceeding, as defined, to be conducted by electronic means, subject to certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the lack of an objection by all parties to the proceeding. This bill would require the California Technology Agency, or its successor entity, to establish on or before July 1, 2014, and operate thereafter, 8 two-way video teleconferencing centers strategically placed throughout the state to allow individuals who are required to attend adjudicative proceedings to observe, appear, and participate in those proceedings by video teleconferencing. This bill would also require any notice of an adjudicative proceeding to include information explaining a required attendee's option to observe, appear, or participate in those proceedings by using a teleconferencing center. This bill would make conforming changes to existing law to repeal the conditions with regard to conducting hearings by electronic means when the teleconferencing centers are operational.