STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2011

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2106

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 2106 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WITNESSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Increase the per diem payments for out-of-state witnesses in criminal cases from $145 to $200; and

     (2)  Increase the per diem payment supplement from $90 to $145 for witnesses from any island other than the island on which is the court is located when that witness is required to stay overnight.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, City and County of Honolulu; Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, County of Hawaii; Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, County of Kauai; and Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, County of Maui.

     Your Committee finds that the criminal case witness per diem stipend amounts have not kept pace with Hawaii's cost of living.  Given the increases in costs for lodging and food, the existing per diem stipend amounts are insufficient to cover personal expenses and, as a result, may prevent victims of crimes from pursuing charges against criminal offenders.  This measure increases the per diem stipend amounts for out-of-state witnesses and witnesses who require an overnight stay on another island in the State, in order to support and encourage victims and other witnesses to report criminal offenses and pursue criminal charges.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2106 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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GILBERT S.C. KEITH-AGARAN, Chair