CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 136-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2008

RE:    H.B. No. 2700

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 2

       C.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir and Madam:

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the House of Representatives to the amendments proposed by the Senate in H.B. No. 2700, H.D. 1, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to provide the Judiciary with the supplemental appropriations and authorizations for its operations and capital improvements for fiscal year 2008-2009.

Your Committee on Conference provided an additional $6,349,251 in general funds and $53,000 in special funds, increasing the Judiciary’s total budget for fiscal year 2008-2009 to $152,392,779.

In light of the most recent financial projections for the State, your Committee on Conference took a conservative approach in providing funding for fiscal year 2008-2009, yet prioritized safety and security concerns.  The following items were provided to the Judiciary to address these concerns:

     (1)  $111,479 in general funds to replace security metal detectors and x-ray machines;

     (2)  $120,560 in general funds to replace air conditioner condenser water pipes;

     (3)  $450,400 in general funds to replace carpeting; and

     (4)  $442,472 in general funds for risk management purposes.

Your Committee on Conference recognizes the need to support the Judiciary in its efforts to provide services to the public and has provided the Judiciary with the following items to expand vital services and programs:

     (1) $28,000 in general funds to provide medical care to juveniles housed at the state detention facility;

     (2)  $416,000 in general funds for increased psychiatric/psychological fees;

     (3)  $443,064 in general funds to expand the Maui/Molokai Drug Court;

     (4)  $215,637 in general funds and four positions to expand the Hamakua North/South Kohala court;

     (5)  $110,000 in general funds to expand court interpreter services;

     (6)  $1,935,658 in general funds for contracted guardian ad litem and court-appointed counsel fees; and

     (7)  $150,000 in general funds to expand existing domestic violence services.

In order to provide access to legal services for those who otherwise cannot obtain them, your Committee on Conference also provided the Judiciary with $1,767,683 for the following grants-in-aid service providers:  Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Volunteer Legal Services, Hawaii Family Law Clinic, Children’s Alliance of Hawaii, and Na Loio.

     Your Committee on Conference focused its attention on completion of the Kapolei Judiciary Complex Phase I and providing necessary renovation and repair of existing facilities statewide for fiscal year 2008-2009.  A total of $14,260,000 in general obligation bond funds was provided for the Judiciary for fiscal year 2008-2009, including:

· $9,225,000 for equipment for the Kapolei facility;

· $4,360,000 for improvements necessary for public safety, access and operational efficiency at state court facilities; and

· Funds to begin planning for a status offender shelter and juvenile services center at the current site of the juvenile detention facility moving to Kapolei.

     Finally, your Committee on Conference made technical amendments for purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2700, H.D. 1, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2700, H.D. 1, S.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

____________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair	____________________________ TOMMY WATERS, Co-Chair
____________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Co-Chair	____________________________ MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Co-Chair