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Committee reconsiders and narrows proposed media‑credentialing changes after public input

Select Committee on Legislative Facilities, Technology and Process · October 25, 2024

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Summary

After public testimony criticizing proposed limits on press photographers, the committee voted to reconsider its earlier recommendation on media credentialing and rescinded the prior set of changes; it then approved narrow cleanup edits to policy language while excluding proposed photo restrictions.

The Select Committee reopened discussion Oct. 24 on management council draft policy 10‑01 (media credentialing) after public and legislative concern about proposed limits on media photographers on the chamber floor.

WildFile CEO Mr. Copeland testified against the earlier recommendation, arguing that restricting press photographers would reduce the public's ability to observe nonverbal context and would amount to an unacceptable limitation on press freedom. "Any restriction to press access in the Capitol is a restriction on the people's access to the government that represents them," Copeland said.

Following the public comment and internal discussion, Senator Rothfuss moved to reconsider the committee's earlier recommendation; the committee voted unanimously to take up reconsideration. On the subsequent revote, members recorded 'No' votes that removed the earlier package of changes related to floor photography and credentialing (roll call recorded six 'No' votes). The committee then considered which non‑controversial edits should remain.

Co‑chairman Case offered to salvage cleanup changes (paragraphs 1, 2 and 7) while excluding the camera/photography restrictions in paragraph 3. Director Obrecht said the proposed edits included removing dated language ("personal online blog") and aligning badge reissuance timing. The committee approved the narrow cleanup package unanimously and instructed LSO to resubmit those limited changes to management council.

The committee's actions rescinded the broader credentialing recommendation and left the underlying policy under committee control for further refinement.