STAND. COM. REP. NO. 98

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 948

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Judiciary and Labor and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 948 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GOVERNMENTAL RETENTION OF ATTORNEYS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow the Division of Financial Institutions of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to employ or retain an attorney to represent or provide legal services for the Division or State on any matter rather than only mortgage loan recovery fund actions.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

     Your Committees find that existing law allows the Division of Financial Institutions of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to employ and retain attorneys only for actions involving the mortgage loan recovery fund.  However, a majority of the Division's need for attorney assistance is outside the scope of what the law permits.  This measure will assist in increasing the Division's efficiency and streamlining its regulatory processes.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Labor and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 948 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Labor and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

________________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

________________________________ GILBERT S.C. KEITH-AGARAN, Chair