Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1763, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to ensure the continued force and effectiveness of the Hawaii Penal Code (Code) by establishing and appropriating funds for a committee to conduct a comprehensive review of the Code and report back to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the 2006 Regular Session.

The Office of the Public Defender testified in support of this bill. The Crime Victim Compensation Commission opposed this measure. The Judiciary, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline, and a concerned individual offered comments.

Your Committee notes that concerns were raised regarding the lack of representation on the review committee by individuals and groups who speak for the interests of crime victims. Your Committee would like to consider incorporating these concerns into this bill.

Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1) Changing the appropriation amount to $1; and

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1763, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1763, H.D. 2.