S.D. 1

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 126 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide the means to expedite the dismissal of a lawsuit against a person for exercising the right to petition, including informing, seeking relief, or otherwise participating in the process of government.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by four private citizens.

Your Committee finds that our citizens have a constitutional right to participate in government, and they should not be harassed with a lawsuit from exercising such a right. This measure encourages public participation by protecting citizens' rights and allowing an expedited dismissal of lawsuits for exercising their rights.

Your Committee amended this measure to make technical, nonsubstantive changes for clarity and to reflect preferred drafting style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 126, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 126, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.