STAND. COM. REP. NO.  100-10

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2010

RE:   H.B. No. 1942

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1942 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VETERANS COURT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to help address prison overcrowding by establishing a temporary Veterans Court at the State Circuit Court level.

     The Office of Veterans Services, Oahu Veterans Council, Mental Health America of Hawaii, theStrategist, and several concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Judiciary opposed this measure.

     Your Committee notes that federal funds are available to pay for positions and other costs for a Veterans Court.  According to testimony, there is an estimated $10,000 in savings per convicted offender in other states.  Your Committee believes this warrants further discussion and may save the State money in the long run.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Removing the appropriation section;

     (2)  Expanding the scope of the definition of "veteran"; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1942, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1942, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair