STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1067-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   S.B. No. 2715

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services & Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 2715, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COURT-APPOINTED COUNSEL AND GUARDIANS AD LITEM IN FAMILY COURT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to clarify the rates paid to court-appointed counsel and guardians ad litem by establishing the following rates:

     (1)  $90 an hour for in-court services provided by an attorney licensed to practice law in the state; and

     (2)  $60 an hour for:

          (A)  Out-of-court services provided by an attorney licensed to practice law in the state; and

          (B)  All services provided by a person who is not an attorney licensed to practice law in the state, whether performed in-court or out-of-court.

     The Judiciary testified in support of this bill.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Ensuring that the Judiciary may continue to contract for these professional services; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2715, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2715, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Housing,

____________________________

MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair