Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 617 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Court Interpreting Services Revolving Fund in the Judiciary to provide financial support for the development of a comprehensive education, screening, testing, and certification program for court interpreters.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Judiciary. Testimony in opposition to the measure was submitted by the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the establishment of the Court Interpreting Services Revolving Fund will enable the Judiciary to provide high quality interpreting services for non-English speakers who utilize the services of the Judiciary. This fund is also the repository of other moneys, including user fees collected from court interpreters, which will not only defray the cost of important court interpreter education and certification programs, but also ensure the accuracy and reliability of court interpreters utilized in all legal proceedings in State courts.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, non-substantive amendments for purposes of clarity.

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. 617, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 617, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.