STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1478

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   S.B. No. 959

      S.D. 2

      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. 959, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is decrease the backlog of Hawaii's warrant system by appropriating funds for:

(1)  The establishment of an automated centralized warrant management system by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center of the Department of the Attorney General (AG) that can be accessed by all law enforcement personnel; and

(2)  Additional sheriffs' positions and vehicles dedicated exclusively to servicing and executing warrants.

     The Judiciary and Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu testified in support of the intent of this bill.  The Department of Public Safety and AG testified in opposition to this measure.

     Although none of the agencies testifying at the hearing desire to take on the task of establishing a centralized warrant management system, your Committee notes that this measure has an effective date well beyond the dates of the appropriation.  Consequently, further discussion of this measure may provide a resolution.

     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. 959, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

TOMMY WATERS, Chair