HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
951 |
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 2 |
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C.D. 1
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Chapter 353C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§353C- Service of process; list. (a) For service of process, the director shall maintain a list of independent civil process servers to process:
(1) Orders to show cause pursuant to chapters 603, 604, and 633;
(2) Garnishment pursuant to chapter 652;
(3) Writs of replevin and attachment pursuant to chapter 634;
(4) Writs of possession pursuant to chapters 501 and 666;
(5) Orders for examination pursuant to chapter 636; and
(6) Writs of attachment or execution pursuant to chapter 651.
(b) Any independent civil process server may submit the server's name to the director to be placed on the list; provided that a person shall not be placed on the list if the person:
(1) Is serving a criminal sentence;
(2) Has been convicted of a crime within the previous ten years;
(3) Is required to register as a sex offender; or
(4) Is subject to any other legal restriction, including a temporary restraining order, that prevents the person from serving process.
(c) The department, the State, and the agencies, officers, and employees of the department or the State shall not be responsible or liable for the actions of any independent civil process servers on the list. The maintenance of the list shall not create a private cause of action against the department, the State, or the agencies, officers, and employees of the department or the State.
(d) Placement of a person's name on the list shall not make the person a law enforcement officer, sheriff or deputy sheriff, or an employee or agent of the State."
SECTION 2. Section 501-154, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§501-154
Writ of possession, service, time limit for registration. When in any action in the nature of an action of
ejectment an execution or writ of possession has been issued and served by the
[officer,] sheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer, or
independent civil process server from the department of public safety's list
under section 353C- , the [officer]
sheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer, or independent civil process
server shall cause a copy of the writ, with
a return of the [officer's] doings of the sheriff,
deputy sheriff, police officer, or independent civil process server thereon, to be filed and registered within three
months after the service and before the return of the writ into the clerk's
office. The plaintiff, in case the judgment was that the plaintiff was
entitled to an estate in fee simple in the demanded premises, or in any part
thereof, and for which execution or writ of possession issued, is thereupon
entitled to the entry of a new certificate of title."
SECTION 3. Section 603-29, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§603-29 Order to show cause. Whenever a complaint has been filed in circuit court alleging leased or rented personal property the value of which is $5,000 or more, has been retained by the defendant fourteen days after the termination of the lease or rental contract, either by passage of time or by reason of any default under the terms and conditions of the lease or rental contract, the plaintiff may petition the court for an order to show cause.
Upon the filing of the petition with a copy of
the lease or rental contract and an affidavit sworn to by the plaintiff or some
competent affiant setting forth a statement of facts sufficient to show the
termination of the lease or rental contract, the court may issue an order
directing the defendant to either return the leased or rented personal property
to the plaintiff or to appear and show cause for the possession at such time as
the court shall direct but not later than ten days from the date of service of
the order to show cause. The order to show cause shall also provide that if
the leased or rented personal property is not returned to the plaintiff prior
to the hearing, the defendant shall, if reasonably feasible, produce the
property at the hearing. If, at the hearing, it is proved to the satisfaction
of the court that the plaintiff is entitled to possession of the leased or
rented personal property, it shall issue an order directed to the sheriff,
deputy sheriff, [or person authorized by the rules of court,] police
officer, or independent civil process server from the department of public
safety's list under section 353C- commanding the sheriff,
deputy sheriff, [or other person authorized by the rules of court]
police officer, or independent civil process server to seize the personal
property therein described and to deliver the same to the plaintiff or the
plaintiff's agent. Service of the order to show cause shall be as provided by
law or rule of court for cases in the circuit courts, or by registered mail or
by certified mail with return receipt showing delivery within the
circuit."
SECTION 4. Section 604-6.2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§604-6.2 Order to show cause.
Upon the filing of a complaint with a copy of a lease or rental contract and an
affidavit sworn to by the plaintiff or some competent affiant setting forth a
statement of facts sufficient to show that the leased or rented personal
property has been in the defendant's possession at least fourteen days after
the termination of the lease or rental contract, either by passage of time or
by reason of any default under the terms and conditions of the lease or rental
contract, the court may issue an order directing the defendant to either return
the leased or rented personal property to the plaintiff or to appear and show
cause for the possession at such time as the court shall direct, but not later
than ten days from the date of service of the order to show cause. The order
to show cause shall also provide that, if the leased or rented personal
property is not returned to the plaintiff prior to the hearing, the defendant
shall, if reasonably feasible, produce the property at the hearing. If, at the
hearing, it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that the plaintiff is
entitled to possession of the leased or rented personal property, it shall
issue an order directed to the sheriff, deputy sheriff, [or other person
authorized by the rules of court] police officer, or independent civil
process server from the department of public safety's list under section
353C- commanding the sheriff, deputy sheriff, [or a person authorized by the rules of court] police
officer, or independent civil process server to seize the personal property
therein described and to deliver the same to the plaintiff or the plaintiff's
agent. Service of the order to show cause shall be as provided by law or rule
of court for cases in the district courts, or by registered mail or by
certified mail with return receipt showing delivery within the State."
SECTION 5. Section 607-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
"(d) Fees of sheriff, deputy sheriff,
police officer, or [other person authorized by the rules of court:]
independent civil process server from the department of public safety's list
under section 353C- :
(1) For serving any criminal summons, warrant,
attachment, or other criminal process, $30 effective July 1, 2001. This fee is
payable to a sheriff, deputy sheriff, or police officer. Service of criminal summons,
warrant, attachment, or other criminal process shall be made only by persons
authorized to serve criminal summons [in accordance with rules of court].
(2) For serving any civil summons, warrant, attachment, or other civil process, $25 effective July 1, 2001.
(3) For every copy of an attachment and inventory of the property attached, served upon the defendant, $2.
(4) For serving any execution, 12 cents for every $1 collected up to $500, and 7 cents for every $1 over $500.
(5) For serving: subpoena, $25; and subpoena duces tecum or garnishee summons, $15 effective July 1, 2001.
(6) For every mile of travel, more than one, in serving any process, 40 cents; provided that:
(A) No allowance shall be made where the serving individual uses a conveyance furnished the serving individual by the State, or any political or municipal subdivision thereof;
(B) Where the serving individual serves more than one person in the course of one trip, the serving individual shall not charge, in the aggregate for all services, more than the mileage for the entire trip; and
(C) As far as practicable, in order to
minimize the mileage fees for the service, the sheriff or [other] police
chief of the serving police officers, or [other person authorized by
the rules of court,] independent civil process servers, where
service of process is to be made upon an island other than that upon which is
situated the court issuing the process, shall cause the process to be
transmitted to the sheriff, deputy sheriff, the chief of police[, a person
authorized by the rules of court, or other serving individual], a police
officer, or an independent civil process server upon the island of service,
who shall make the service upon receipt of the process; and the service shall
be valid, notwithstanding that the process may not be addressed to the
individual actually making the service or to the individual's superior.
In lieu of any fee under
this subsection, the fee may be an hourly rate of not less than $50 per hour
agreed upon in advance between the party requesting the service and the
sheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer, or [other person authorized by the
rules of court] independent civil process server performing the
service."
SECTION 6. Section 607-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the title and subsection (a) to read as follows:
"§607-8 Fees of sheriff, deputy
sheriff, police officer, serving or levying officer, or [other person
authorized by the rules of court in circuit court, intermediate appellate
court, or supreme court.] independent civil process server.
(a) For all necessary travel in making the service, per mile for every mile
more than one...40 cents provided that:
(1) No allowance shall be made where the serving individual uses a conveyance furnished the serving individual by the State, or any political or municipal subdivision thereof;
(2) Where the serving individual serves more than one person in the course of one trip, the serving individual shall not charge, in the aggregate for all services more than the mileage for the entire trip; and
(3) As far as practicable, in order to minimize the
mileage fees for the service, the sheriff or [other] chief of police
of the serving police officers, or [other person
authorized by the rules of court where service of process is to be made upon an
island other than that upon which is situated the court issuing the process,]
independent civil process server from the department of public safety's list
under section
353C- shall cause the
process to be transmitted to the sheriff, deputy sheriff, the chief of police,
[other person authorized by the rules of court, or other serving individual]
a police officer, or an independent civil process server upon the island
of service who shall make the service upon receipt of the process; and the
service shall be valid, notwithstanding that the process may not be addressed
to the individual actually making the service or to the individual's superior.
For serving criminal summons or any other
criminal process except a subpoena, for each person served therewith
.................... $30 effective July 1, 2001. Service of criminal summons
or any other criminal process shall be made only by persons authorized to serve
criminal summons [in accordance with rules of court].
For serving civil summons or any other civil process,
except a subpoena or a garnishee summons, for each person served therewith .............. $25 effective July 1, 2001.
For serving: subpoena, for each person, $25; and subpoena duces tecum or garnishee summons, for each person ....................... $15 effective July 1, 2001.
For returning as unserved after due and diligent search any process when it has been found that the person to be served has left the State ................ $5 effective July 1, 2001.
For serving any execution or other process for the collection of money, for every dollar collected up
to $1,000 ....................................... 5 cents.
And for every dollar over $1,000 ....... 2-1/2 cents.
All fees paid to any printer for publishing an advertisement of the sale of any property.
For every bill of sale .......................... $2.
For executing and acknowledging a deed pursuant to a sale of real estate to be paid by the grantee in the deed.................................................. $8.
For drawing any bond required by law............. $2.
For serving writ of possession or restitution, putting any person entitled into the possession of premises, and removing a tenant pursuant to order of court................................................ $25.
Together with all necessary expenses incurred by the individual serving the writ, incident to the eviction.
For selling any property on an order from the court other than an execution, the same allowance as for service and sales by execution.
The fees for service of executions, attachments, and collection of judgments, together with all costs incurred after judgment rendered, not included in the judgment, in all courts of the State, shall be collected in addition to the sum directed to be levied and collected in the writ.
In lieu of any fee under this subsection, the
fee may be an hourly rate of not less than $50 per hour agreed upon in advance
between the party requesting the service and the sheriff, deputy sheriff,
police officer, or [other person authorized by the rules of court] independent
civil process server performing the service."
SECTION 7. Section 633-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§633-8 Order to show cause.
Upon the filing of a complaint with a copy of a lease or rental contract and an
affidavit sworn to by the plaintiff or some competent affiant setting forth a
statement of facts sufficient to show that the leased or rented personal
property has been in the defendant's possession at least fourteen days after
the termination of the lease or rental contract, either by passage of time or
by reason of any default under the terms and conditions of the lease or rental
contract, the court may issue an order directing the defendant to either return
the leased or rented personal property to the plaintiff or to appear and show
cause for the possession at such time as the court shall direct, but not later
than five days from the date of service of the order to show cause. The order
to show cause shall also provide that, if the leased or rented personal
property is not returned to the plaintiff prior to the hearing, the defendant
shall, if reasonably feasible, produce the property at the hearing. If, at the
hearing, it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that the plaintiff is
entitled to possession of the leased or rented personal property, it shall
issue an order directed to the sheriff, deputy sheriff, [or other person
authorized by the rules of court] police officer, or independent civil
process server from the department of public safety's list under section
353C- commanding the sheriff, deputy sheriff, [or other
person authorized by the rules of court] police officer, or independent
civil process server to seize the personal property therein described and
to deliver the same to the plaintiff or the plaintiff's agent. Service of the
order to show cause shall be as provided by law or rule of court for cases in
the district courts, or by registered mail or by certified mail with return
receipt showing delivery within the circuit."
SECTION 8. Section 634-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§634-11 Interpleader; application for
order by sheriff [or other person authorized by the rules of court.],
deputy sheriff, police officer, or independent civil process server.
When, in the execution of process against goods and chattels issued by or under
the authority of the courts of the State, by reason of claims made to such
goods and chattels by assignees of bankrupts and other persons not being the
parties against whom such process had issued, whereby the sheriff, deputy
sheriffs, [other] police officers, or [persons
authorized by the rules of court] independent civil process servers from
the department of public safety's list under section 353C-
are exposed to the hazard and expense of actions, any such claim shall be made
to any goods or chattels taken or intended to be taken in execution under any
such process or to the proceeds or value thereof, it shall be lawful for the
court, out of which the execution shall have issued, or any judge thereof, upon
application of the sheriff, deputy sheriff, [other] police
officer, or [other person authorized by the rules of court,] independent
civil process server made before or after the return of such process, and
as well before as after any action brought against the sheriff, deputy sheriff,
[other] police officer, or [other person authorized by the
rules of court,] independent civil process server to call before it
or the judge by rule, order, or summons, as well the party issuing such process
as the party making the claim. Thereupon the court or judge shall, for the
adjustment of the claims and the relief and protection of the sheriff, deputy
sheriff, [other] police officer, or [other person authorized
by the rules of court,] independent civil process server, make such
rules, orders, and decisions as shall appear to be just according to the
circumstances of the case. The costs of all such proceedings shall be in the
discretion of the court or judge."
SECTION 9. Section 634-12, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§634-12 Sale of property seized on
execution, when. When goods or chattels have been seized in execution by
the sheriff, deputy sheriff, [other] a police officer[,
or other person authorized by the rules of court], or an independent
civil process server from the department of public safety's list under section
353C- under process of any court, and some third person
claims to be entitled under a bill of sale, chattel mortgage, or otherwise, to
the goods and chattels by way of security for a debt, the court or a judge may
order a sale of the whole or part thereof, upon such terms as to the payment of
the whole or part of the secured debt or otherwise as it or the judge shall
think fit; and may direct the application of the proceeds of sale in such
manner and upon such terms as to the court or judge may seem just."
SECTION 10. Section 634-22, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§634-22 Return. In all cases
where any process or order of a court is served by any officer of the court or
of the police force or the sheriff, deputy sheriff, an independent civil
process server from the department of public safety's list under section
353C- , or any investigator appointed and commissioned by
the director of commerce and consumer affairs pursuant to section 26-9(j), a
record thereof shall be endorsed upon the back of the process, complaint,
order, or citation. The record shall state the name of the person served and
the time and place of service and shall be signed by the sheriff, deputy
sheriff, police officer, independent civil process server, or investigator
making the service. If the [officer] sheriff, deputy sheriff, police
officer, independent civil service process server, or investigator fails to
make service, the [officer,] sheriff, deputy sheriff, police
officer, independent civil process server, or investigator in like manner,
shall endorse the reason for the [officer's] sheriff, deputy sheriff,
police officer, independent civil process server, or investigator's failure
and sign this record. When service is made by a person specially appointed by
the court, or [a person authorized by the rules of court, the person] an
independent civil process server, that person shall make declaration or
affidavit of that service.
The record [or the], declaration, or
affidavit shall be prima facie evidence of all it contains, and no further
proof thereof shall be required unless either party desires to examine the sheriff,
deputy sheriff, police officer [or person], independent civil
process server, or investigator making service, in which case the sheriff,
deputy sheriff, police officer [or person], independent civil
process server, or investigator shall be notified to appear for
examination."
SECTION 11. Section 634-29, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§634-29[]] In case
of attachment, etc., of real property. In all cases of attachment,
sequestration, or injunction of real property, the sheriff, deputy sheriff,
police officer, or independent civil process server from the department
of public safety's list under section 353C- serving the
writ shall, in addition to personal delivery of a copy thereof to the
defendant, post upon the premises a copy of the process, and a notice of the
day and hour when attached, sequestrated, or enjoined, and shall also give
notice thereof in a newspaper or newspapers suitable for the advertisement of
judicial proceedings. But in all cases where a writ of attachment is issued in
accordance with chapter 651 relating to attachments, and the defendant in
attachment was never a resident of the State or has departed from the State or
secretes oneself so that the writ of attachment cannot be personally served
upon the defendant, personal service of the writ upon the defendant may be
dispensed with. All after-leases, mortgages, sales, devises, assignments,
trusts, or other conveyances of the property, until the dissolution of the
process, shall be void in law as against the plaintiff in such cases."
SECTION 12. Section 651-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§651-1 General provisions. (a)
This chapter shall apply to circuit and district courts. A judge of any court
of record may make any order at chambers which may by the provisions of this
chapter be made by the court in term time. When the proceedings are before a
district judge, the judge shall be regarded as the clerk of the court for all
purposes contemplated herein. The phrase "police officer", as used
in this chapter, means the director of public safety or the director's duly
authorized representative, any chief of police or subordinate police officer,
or [a person authorized by the rules of court.] an independent civil
process server on the list maintained by the department of public safety pursuant
to section 353C- . Nothing in this chapter shall be
construed to permit a district judge to issue a writ of attachment to be served
out of the circuit in which the judge's court is situated, or to permit an
attachment of real estate, or any interest therein, under a writ issued by a
district court judge.
(b) The department of public safety, the State, and the agencies, officers, and employees of the department of public safety or the State shall not be responsible or liable for the actions of any independent civil process servers on the list maintained by the department of public safety pursuant to section 353C- . The maintenance of the list pursuant to section 353C- shall not create a private cause of action against the department of public safety, the State, or the agencies, officers, and employees of the department of public safety or the State.
(c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to make an independent civil process server a law enforcement officer, sheriff, or deputy sheriff, or an employee or agent of the department of public safety or the State."
SECTION 13. Section 652-1.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a) Except as provided in subsection (e), any creditor desiring to secure a garnishment process before judgment shall attach the creditor's petition for process, summons, and direction to the following documents:
(1) An application, directed to the court to which such action is made returnable, for garnishee process to issue under section 652-1(a);
(2) An affidavit sworn to by the creditor or some competent affiant setting forth a statement of facts sufficient to show that probable validity exists to sustain the validity of the creditor's claim;
(3) An order that a hearing be held before the court or a judge thereof to determine whether or not the garnishee process should be granted and that notice of such hearing be given to the defendant debtor; and
(4) A summons directed to [a proper officer] the
sheriff, deputy sheriff, a police officer, or an independent civil process
server from the department of public safety's list under section
353C- commanding the [officer] sheriff, deputy
sheriff, police officer, or independent civil process server to serve upon
the debtor at least four days prior to the date of the hearing, pursuant to
chapter 634, the application, a true and attested copy of the petition,
summons, and direction, the affidavit, and the order and notice of
hearing."
SECTION 14. Section 652-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§652-2 Garnishee, rights, duties;
collection by [levying officer.] sheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer,
or independent civil process server. The garnishee shall, when
summoned before judgment rendered against [his] the garnishee's principal,
if [he] the garnishee desires, be admitted to defend [his]
the garnishee's principal in the action.
If judgment is rendered in favor of the
plaintiff, and likewise in all cases in which the garnishee is summoned after
judgment, the garnishee fund, or such part thereof as may be sufficient for
that purpose, shall be liable to pay the same. The plaintiff on praying out
execution shall be entitled to have included in the execution an order
directing the [officer] sheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer, or
independent civil process server from the department of public safety's list
under section 353C- serving the same to make demand of
the garnishee for the goods and effects of the defendant secured in [his]
the garnishee's hands, whose duty it will be to expose the same to be
taken on execution, and also to make demand of the garnishee for the debt or
wages secured in [his] the garnishee's hands or the moneys held
by [him] the garnishee for safekeeping, or such part thereof as
may satisfy the judgment. It shall be the duty of the garnishee to pay the
same. If the garnishee has in any manner disposed of the goods and effects or
does not expose and subject the same to be taken on execution, or if the
garnishee does not pay to the [officer,] sheriff, deputy sheriff, police
officer, or independent civil process server when demanded, the debt or
wages or moneys held for safekeeping, the garnishee shall be liable to satisfy
the judgment out of [his] the garnishee's own estate, as [his]
the garnishee's own proper debt, if the goods or effects or debt or
wages or moneys held for safekeeping, be of sufficient value or amount and, if
not, then to the value of the same; provided that every garnishee, whether
summoned before or after judgment, shall be allowed to retain or deduct from
the goods, effects, and credits of the defendant in [his] the
garnishee's hands at the time of service all demands against the defendant
of which [he] the garnishee could have availed [himself] the
garnishee's self if [he] the garnishee had not been [garnisheed,]
garnished, whether the same are at the time due or not, and whether by
setoff on a trial or by setoff of judgments or executions between [himself]
the garnishee and the defendant, and shall be liable only for the
balance after adjustment of all mutual demands between [himself] the
garnishee and the defendant; provided that in such adjustment no demands
for unliquidated damages for wrongs or injuries shall be included, and that the
judgment shall show the amount of any setoff.
No garnishee shall be liable to anyone for the nonpayment of any sum or for the nondelivery of any goods or effects when the garnishee in good faith believes, or has reason to believe, that garnishment or other process affects the same, though such be not the case, but this paragraph shall not supersede section 652-9 where the same are applicable."
SECTION 15. Section 652-2.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§652-2.5[]] Service
on garnishee. Service of the copy upon the garnishee may be made in any of
the manners here described, namely:
(1) If the garnishee lives or has an office in the
district in which process is issued, by the [serving officer's] sheriff,
deputy sheriff, police officer, or independent civil process server from the
department of public safety's list under section 353C-
handing a copy to the garnishee in person or leaving it in the garnishee's
office in charge of some deputy or clerk or other employees or attache of the
office; or
(2) If the garnishee lives in a district other than
that in which the process was issued, by the [serving officer's] sheriff,
deputy sheriff, police officer, or independent civil process server handing
a copy to the garnishee in person, or by mailing it in a sealed envelope,
registered or certified, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, and
addressed to the garnishee's last known home or business address."
SECTION 16. Section 652-2.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a) In case of service upon the
garnishee, the [serving officer's] certificate of service or, if by
mail, a copy of the return receipt provided by the sheriff, deputy sheriff,
police officer, or independent civil process server from the department of
public safety's list under section 353C- shall be prima
facie proof of the service."
SECTION 17. Section 654-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§654‑2 Bond. When the
plaintiff desires the immediate delivery of the property, the plaintiff shall
execute a bond to the defendant in possession of the property, and to all
persons having an interest in the property, of such amount and with such
sureties as are approved by the court, conditioned that the plaintiff will
prosecute the plaintiff's action to judgment without delay, and deliver the
property to the defendant in possession or any other person, if such delivery
is adjudged, and pay all costs and damages that may be adjudged against the
plaintiff. Upon the filing of the verified complaint or affidavit with the
bond and a motion for immediate consideration of the matter, the court shall
forthwith inquire into the matter, ex parte or otherwise, as in its discretion
it determines. If thereupon the court finds that a prima facie claim for
relief has been established, it shall issue an order directed to the sheriff, [or
the] sheriff's deputy, [or the] chief of police, [or] an
authorized police officer of any county[, or a person authorized by the
rules of court], or an independent civil process server from the
department of public safety's list under section 353C- to
take the property therein described and deliver the same to the plaintiff.
Copies of the verified complaint or affidavit, and, if a bond for immediate seizure has been filed, of the bond, and, if an order for the taking has been issued on an ex parte hearing, of the order, shall forthwith be served upon the defendant in possession and each person having or claiming a possessory interest in the property, in the same manner as is provided for service of summons unless the party to be served has appeared in the action, in which case service may be made in the same manner as is provided for service of papers other than the summons. In a proper case, either before or after issuance of an order for the taking, the required service may be combined with the publication of the summons, in which event the giving of notice of the substance of the proceeding shall be sufficient.
Upon the application of any party, the proceeding shall be advanced and assigned for hearing at the earliest possible date."
SECTION 18. Section 666-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§666-11 Judgment; writ of possession.
If it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that the plaintiff is entitled
to the possession of the premises, the plaintiff shall have judgment for
possession, and for the plaintiff's costs. Execution shall issue accordingly.
The writ of possession shall issue to the sheriff, deputy sheriff, police
officer[, or other person authorized by the rules of court of the circuit
where the premises are situated], or independent civil process server
from the department of public safety's list under section
353C- , commanding the sheriff, deputy sheriff, police
officer[, or other person authorized by the rules of court], or
independent civil process server to remove all persons from the premises,
and to put the plaintiff, or the plaintiff's agent, into the full possession
thereof."
SECTION 19. Section 666-21, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b) If the tenant is unable to comply
with the court's order under subsection (a) in paying the required amount of
rent to the court, the landlord shall have judgment for possession and
execution shall issue accordingly. The writ of possession shall issue to the
sheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer[, or other person authorized by the
rules of court of the circuit where the premises are situated], or
independent civil process server from the department of public safety's list
under section 353C- , ordering the sheriff, deputy
sheriff, police officer[, or other person authorized by the rules of court],
or independent civil process server to remove all persons and possessions
from the premises, and to put the landlord, or the landlord's agent, into full
possession of the premises."
SECTION 20. The department of public safety shall convene a working group with the following objectives:
(1) Defining and delineating the duties and responsibilities of process servers under its jurisdiction;
(2) Creating a process of registration for process servers in the State;
(3) Examining the licensing requirements of and jurisdictional concerns with the private process server industry in the State; and
(4) Addressing other issues deemed relevant by the working group or by the department of public safety.
SECTION 21. The working group established under section 20 of this Act shall be composed of ten members as follows:
(1) Two current process servers to be appointed by the governor;
(2) Two current employees of the sheriff division to be appointed by the director of public safety;
(3) Two employees of the judiciary to be appointed by the chief justice;
(4) Two members of the Hawaii state bar association to be appointed by the president of the Hawaii state bar association;
(5) A representative from the professional and vocational licensing division of the department of commerce and consumer affairs appointed by the director of commerce and consumer affairs; and
(6) The director of public safety, as an ex officio member, to serve as chair.
SECTION 22. Members of the working group shall serve without compensation for their service on the working group.
SECTION 23. The working group established by this Act shall meet at least four times, and shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2014. SECTION 24. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 25. This Act shall take effect upon its approval and shall be repealed on June 30, 2015; provided that:
(1) Section 501-154, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 2 of this Act;
(2) Section 603-29, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 3 of this Act;
(3) Section 604-6.2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 4 of this Act;
(4) Section 607-4(d), Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 5 of this Act;
(5) The title and subsection (a) of section 607-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 6 of this Act;
(6) Section 633-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 7 of this Act;
(7) Section 634-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 8 of this Act;
(8) Section 634-12, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 9 of this Act;
(9) Section 634-22, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 10 of this Act;
(10) Section 634-29, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 11 of this Act;
(11) Section 651-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 12 of this Act;
(12) Section 652-1.5(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 13 of this Act;
(13) Section 652-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 14 of this Act;
(14) Section 652-2.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 15 of this Act;
(15) Section 652-2.6(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 16 of this Act;
(16) Section 654-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 17 of this Act;
(17) Section 666-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 18 of this Act; and
(18) Section 666-21(b), Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 19 of this Act,
shall be reenacted in the form in which they read on the day prior to the effective date of this Act.
Report Title:
Department of Public Safety; Judiciary; Service of Process
Description:
Specifies the persons authorized to serve civil legal process. Mandates the Director of Public Safety to maintain a list of independent civil process servers. Shields the State and the Department of Public Safety from liability arising from the acts of independent civil process servers. Establishes a working group to consider various aspects how process servers should be dealt with in the State. (HB951 CD1)
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