STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1341

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   S.B. No. 56

      S.D. 1

      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 S.B. No. 56, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO JURY SERVICE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure that individuals can receive timely treatment for dental emergencies by allowing actively practicing dentists who:

     (1)  Are endodontists, oral surgeons, or periodontists; or

     (2)  Reside on an island with a population under 500,000,

to claim exemption from jury service.

     Several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Hawaii Dental Association and several concerned individuals supported this bill with amendments.  The Judiciary and The League of Women Voters of Hawaii opposed this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Expanding the exemption to include all active practicing dentists;

(2)  Changing the effective date to January 1, 2112, to promote further discussion; and

(3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity.

     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 S.B. No. 56, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 56, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

____________________________

TOMMY WATERS, Chair