STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2125

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   S.C.R. No. 175

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.C.R. No. 175 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE JUDICIARY TO MONITOR THE COLLECTION OF CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATION FEES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the Judiciary to provide the Legislature with a report detailing the Judiciary's progress in meeting the requirements of Act 206, Session Laws of Hawaii 1998, which requires the courts to assess a mandatory crime victim compensation fee against all convicted criminal offenders who have the ability to pay the fee.

     The Crime Victim Compensation Commission and Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu testified in support of this concurrent resolution.  The Judiciary supported the intent of this measure. 

     Your Committee received written materials from the Crime Victim Compensation Commission demonstrating that on numerous occasions, State courts have either assessed the mandatory fee improperly, or have not implemented the fee in correct priority with relation to other payments or fees required of convicted persons.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 175 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

TOMMY WATERS, Chair