STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3856

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1841

H.D. 2

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1841, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, 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 increase the compensation rates and maximum allowable amounts per case for court-appointed counsel and guardians ad litem.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Hawaii Family Advocacy Team, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Hawaii State Bar Association, and Hawaii Access to Justice Commission.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the increased compensation rates authorized by this measure will help ensure that the State's courts can attract and retain competent attorneys and guardians ad litem to advocate for some of the community's most vulnerable members.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the authorized compensation rates and maximum allowable amounts per case to unspecified sums;

(2) Changing the appropriation amount from $2,300,000 to an unspecified sum;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(4) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1841, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1841, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair