STAND. COM. REP. NO. 999-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1749

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1749, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WITNESS FEES AND REIMBURSEMENTS IN CRIMINAL CASES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify applicable amounts of fees and costs to be paid to expert witnesses in criminal cases, covering their testimony, preparation, travel, and in-court appearances.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu and Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaii. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the amounts to be paid for airfare and overnight stays to unspecified sums; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1749, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1749, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair