Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2295, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the Judiciary's ability to collect any delinquent court-ordered payments by contracting with a bonded collection agency or licensed attorney to collect payments.

The measure also provides that any collection costs, which shall not exceed fifty per cent of the amount collected, shall be added to the amount due and retained by the collection agency.

Your Committee finds that this provision allows the Judiciary more options, especially with more difficult collections that may require more resources or time.

Your Committee finds that this measure is in line with a 1988 Auditor's report that cited the importance of strengthening the Judiciary's collection efforts. The report suggests that by enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Judiciary's collection efforts, the credibility of the courts, as well as state revenues, will increase.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2295, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.