Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1115 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to amend Hawaii law regarding the admissibility of paid bills in court. The bill provides that in civil proceedings, a paid bill for goods or services shall be admissible to prove its authenticity without the testimony of the provider, and that the charges thereon are fair, reasonable, and appropriate.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Consumer Lawyers of Hawaii. The Judiciary provided comments.

Your Committee finds that this bill will save both time and judicial resources in civil proceedings by eliminating the need for goods or service providers to authenticate bills admitted in court. The bill achieves an appropriate balance between judicial economy and fairness to the non-admitting party. For example, the proposed rule would not eliminate the need to prove either the existence of a health condition or the necessity of providing health care. In addition, the rule would not limit the right of a party to summon or examine a witness, or otherwise engage in discovery.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1115 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.