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. 1327 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to streamline and improve the administration and operation of the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, which administers the Crime Victim Compensation Special Fund.

Specifically, this measure:

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Maui-Victim and Witness Assistance Division, and the Hawaii Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Testimony in opposition to the measure was submitted by the Department of Budget and Finance.

This measure is designed to exempt the Commission's special fund from administrative expenses and assessments. The exemption enables the Commission to devote additional financial resources to victim compensation awards and helps the Commission achieve fiscal self-sufficiency.

This measure also enables the Crime Victim Compensation Commission to defray the expenses associated with providing mental health care services for surviving family members of the deceased victim and to garnish moneys received by an inmate to satisfy the victim compensation fee imposed by a court at sentencing.

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. 1327 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.