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 S.B. No. 98 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to ensure that indigent people have equal access to justice by:

The Judiciary, Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation; Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and the Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline submitted testimony in support of the bill.

Your Committee finds that the surcharge on circuit court filings has provided an important funding source for legal services to low-income individuals and families. The Fund is key to providing equal access to the law for citizens unable to afford and retain regular legal services.

Accordingly, your Committee asserts that this bill will facilitate our continuing efforts to promote justice. Legal representation should be available for everyone and not restricted to only those who are able to afford it.

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 S.B. No. 98 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.