By Tracey Wainwright

Looking down from the gallery on the legislative chambers, one might see a legislator surfing the Internet, reviewing the Code of Virginia or even playing solitaire.

Laptop computers have replaced nearly every bill book that legislators traditionally used.

Through the Chamber Automation Project, the House of Delegates and Senate can choose to have at their fingertips not only that session’s legislation, but the World Wide Web, e-mail and word-processing software – and many other programs.

Before legislators could hook up the state-issued laptops in the chambers, a $450,000 renovation took place to equip the desks with data and electrical outlets, said Timothy E. Madel, director of Information Services for the Senate.

"All 40 senators got laptops," Madel said. "Not everyone takes them to the floor daily because some can’t keep track of what’s on the floor and on the computer."

In time, the automation project would replace all paper copy with access to databases of information needed by the legislators, Madel said.

Some legislators, however, still prefer to bring their bill books and have hard copies of the bills while on the floor. An average of 50 to 60 delegates use their laptops during floor sessions, said Sharon Crouch, director of Information Systems for the House of Delegates.

"Some actually run late from a committee meeting to the floor and send someone to get their laptops," Crouch said. "Others prefer to just use them in the office."

In order to receive a laptop, legislators attended a mandatory class. While Information Systems distributed the state laptops to all the Senators, 98 of the 100 delegates have them.

"One delegate hasn’t taken the training yet to get the laptop," Crouch said, "while the other decided to use his own computer."

The required course taught the basics of the laptop, Madel said, in order to familiarize legislators with the computer’s operations.

"Some senators never touched a mouse or a computer before," Madel said. "We told them to get warm and fuzzy with the computer.

"Those who came in more hesitant are some of the ones who are using the laptops a lot."

Some legislators even came back for more classes, Crouch said.

"We also offered application training for (legislators) who weren’t comfortable with them," Crouch said.

To help legislators while on the floor, five aids stand on guard – three for the House and two for the Senate.

"Everyday problems came about at first," Crouch said, "usually in starting up the computer or with the data jack. The biggest problem was how to log in."

Some legislators still have trouble controlling the sound features of the laptops, Crouch said.

"One of the legislative aides gave a (House) member a sound file," Crouch said. "The delegate opened the file during session but forgot to mute the laptop.

"Another member was down on the floor hugging over his laptop trying to mute the sound. He was trying to respect the rules of the House floor, and the only way was to bring it to the floor."

After using the laptops for half the session, some senators ask for more from the computers, Madel said.

"It’s a living kind of thing – it’s always changing," Madel said. "They (senators) ask us if we can give them more information or if they can see more on the screen at one time."

Legislators can’t just add computer applications to the laptop, Madel said. They first must go through the clerk’s office and have Information Systems add the software.

The project began last year with a $100,000 pilot program to test the laptops, Crouch said.

"It allowed us to develop a prototype application," Crouch said, "and the legislators provided us with feedback."

While spectators in the House chambers might notice some delegates engaging in games of solitaire or hearts during slow periods, Madel said senators’ laptops don’t include such features. All the same, he said, many legislators have picked up computer habits.

"We didn’t expect the amount of legislators adapting to the computers," Crouch said. "We’ve been pleasantly surprised."