STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1349-10

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2010

RE:   H.R. No. 200

      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 Judiciary, to which was referred H.R. No. 200 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE HAWAII SUPREME COURT TO CONVENE A COMMITTEE TO IDENTIFY AT WHICH POINT VETERANS AND RETURNING RESERVISTS AND NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS ENTER THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND HOW BEST TO ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS, INCLUDING DEVELOPING A VETERANS COURT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to request the Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court to convene a committee to identify at which point veterans and returning reservists and National Guard members enter the justice system, and how best to address their needs, including developing a veterans court.

     The Office of Veterans Services, Department of Defense, City and County of Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Military Officers Association of America – Hawaii Chapter, and several concerned individuals supported this resolution.  The Judiciary and Oahu Veterans Council supported the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this resolution by:

     (1)  Changing the title to read, "REQUESTING THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE HAWAII SUPREME COURT TO CONVENE A COMMITTEE TO IDENTIFY AT WHICH POINT VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL AND RETURNING RESERVISTS AND NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS ENTER THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND HOW BEST TO ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS, INCLUDING DEVELOPING A VETERANS COURT";

     (2)  Describing the composition of the committee to include judges and representatives of the City and County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney, Public Defender, the Hawaii Armed Forces, and veterans;

     (3)  Requesting the Chief Justice to submit a report of the committee's findings and recommendations, including any suggested legislation, no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the 2011 Regular Session;

     (4)  Adding the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs and each member of Hawaii's Congressional delegation to the list of recipients of the resolution; and

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

     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 H.R. No. 200, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 200, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

JON RIKI KARAMATSU, Chair