Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2649 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to propose amendments to the State Constitution that would conform it to the federal Constitution.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the Honolulu County Prosecuting Attorney. Your Committee received testimony opposing this measure from the Judiciary, Office of Information Practices, and the League of Women Voters of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that our Supreme Court has skewed the balance between the constitutional rights of the criminal defendant and the right of victims and the public to have relevant evidence presented to judges and juries. These amendments will address this imbalance and provide a more equitable balance between these rights.

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. 2649 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.