STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1989_______

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 1999

                                 RE: S.C.R. No. 219
                                     S.D. 1




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which
was referred S.C.R. No. 219, S.D. 1, entitled:

     "SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII SUPREME
     COURT TO REVIEW COURT RULES AND, IF NECESSARY, TO ESTABLISH
     GUIDELINES FOR GIFT-GIVING BY COURT REPORTERS."

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the
Hawaii Supreme Court to study the issues related to the practice
of gift-giving by court reporters.

     Testimony in support of this concurrent resolution was
received from the Judiciary, Hawaii Shorthand Court Reports'
Association, and Hilo Reporters.

     Your Committee finds that concern has been raised over
whether the giving and receiving of gifts affects the neutrality
of court reporters and therefore, the veracity of transcripts
produced by gift-giving court reporters.  This concern may affect
the perception by the public of the neutrality of the judicial
process.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to
this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose
of S.C.R. No. 219, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.


 
 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1989_______
                                 Page 2

 
                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Judiciary &
                                   Hawaiian Affairs,



                                   ______________________________
                                   PAUL T. OSHIRO, Chair