HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2574
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CRIME PREVENTION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 706, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part III to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§706- Crime prevention reward fee; special fund. (1) The court, when imposing a fine as a penalty on a person who is convicted of any felony, shall also order the convicted person to pay a crime prevention reward fee, which shall be one per cent of the fine to be paid by the convicted person, rounded up to the nearest dollar.

(2) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the fee required by this section shall be paid in addition to any other surcharge, fee, or monetary assessment required by law for the same felony.

(3) There is established a special fund to be known as the crime prevention special fund to be administered by the department of the attorney general.

(4) The following shall be deposited into the crime prevention special fund:

(a) All crime prevention reward fees collected pursuant to this section; and

(b) Interest earned or accrued on moneys in the special fund.

(5) Moneys from the crime prevention special fund shall be used to compensate any individual for the truthful reporting of a felony under state or county law, including any violation; provided that:

(a) The compensated individual's report of the felony led to a conviction in a court of law for the felony;

(b) The compensated individual fully cooperated, to the extent necessary, with providing truthful testimony at any state criminal trial; and

(c) The compensated individual was not convicted for the felony as the offender, as an accomplice or accessory in the felony, or for solicitation or conspiracy in the commission of the felony."

SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of the attorney general for administrative purposes only a crime prevention reward task force.

(b) The crime prevention reward task force shall review and make recommendations on the administration of the crime prevention reward fee established by this Act, including the determination of, requirements for, timing of, and amounts of compensation to an individual whose truthful reporting leads to a felony conviction.

(c) The attorney general or the attorney general's designee shall serve as the chairperson of the task force. The following individuals or their designees shall serve as members of the task force:

(1) The chief justice of the supreme court of the State of Hawaii;

(2) The director of finance;

(3) The public defender; and

(4) The prosecuting attorney of the city and county of Honolulu.

(d) The chairperson of the crime prevention reward task force may invite a representative of Crimestoppers Honolulu, and other interested parties with relevant experience, to serve as members of the task force.

(e) The chairperson and members of the crime prevention reward task force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

(f) No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2021, the crime prevention reward task force shall submit to the legislature a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation.

(g) The task force shall be dissolved on June 30, 2021.

SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 1 of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Penal Code; Fines; Fees; Special Fund; Task Force

Description:

Imposes a 1% crime prevention reward fee on all persons required to pay a fine for a penal offense. Establishes the crime prevention reward special fund to compensate individuals for the truthful reporting of penal offenses. Establishes the crime prevention reward task force to make recommendations on the administration of the crime prevention reward fee. Requires a report to the Legislature.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.