STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2310

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2116

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2116 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate supplemental funds for the operating and capital improvement costs of the Judiciary for the fiscal biennium beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2021.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Hawaii State Bar Association, Maui County Bar Association, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, and two individuals.

 

OPERATING BUDGET

 

Positions and Related Costs

 

     Your Committee finds that the Judiciary has requested funding for fiscal year 2020-2021 for seven new permanent positions.  These positions include a District Court Judge and three support staff for the Second Circuit and a Court Operations Specialist for the Courts of Appeal.  Your Committee also finds that the Judiciary has requested the temporary-to-permanent position conversion for two Court Appointed Special Advocate social worker positions in the First Circuit.  Your Committee approves of these requests.

 

Civil Legal Services

 

     Your Committee additionally finds that the continuous funding of $500,000 for civil legal services is necessary to provide much needed assistance to legal service organizations, including Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii.  Your Committee notes that this amount may not reflect the entire needs of these organizations.  Your Committee also notes that this supplemental budget request is consistent with previous Judiciary budget acts.

 

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET

 

     Your Committee finds that capital improvement project requirements remain an item of concern as the Judiciary's infrastructure continues to age and deteriorate, and as the population served and services provided by the Judiciary keep expanding.  Your Committee approves funding to upgrade and modernize the fire alarm system and elevators of Kaahumanu Hale in the First Circuit, and renovation of and security improvements to the Kaahumanu Hale Sheriff Station.  Your Committee also approves the Judiciary's request for funding for parking structure improvements to the Hoapili Hale in the Second Circuit and repairs to damages at the Puuhonua Kaulike in the Fifth Circuit.  Your Committee additionally approves of funding for improvements to Judiciary facilities statewide.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2116 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,

 

 

 

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair