STAND. COM. REP. NO.  194

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 600

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 600 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COURT INTERPRETERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure consistent, accurate, and quality service to any non-English speaking person participating in a legal proceeding by requiring the Judiciary to establish and operate a statewide court interpreter orientation, testing, and certification program.

     The Hispanic Center of Hawaii, Domestic Violence Clearing House and Legal Hotline, Hawaii Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, United Filipino Council of Hawaii, Oahu Filipino Community Council, Filipino Coalition for Solidarity, Hawaii Interpreter Action Network, National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators, and numerous concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Judiciary supported the intent of this measure.  The Office of the Public Defender submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2) Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 600, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 600, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

____________________________

TOMMY WATERS, Chair