STAND. COM. REP. NO. 81-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1914

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1914 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMPENSATION FOR COURT-APPOINTED COUNSEL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the rate of compensation and maximum allowable amounts per case for court-appointed counsel in criminal proceedings.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary; Office of the Public Defender; and Hudson Law.

Your Committee finds that most indigent criminal defendants have a right to representation by competent counsel appointed by the court. Usually, these defendants are represented by the Office of the Public Defender. However, in the event of a conflict, the defendant has a right to the appointment of private defense counsel.

Your Committee further finds that the existing rate of pay has not been adjusted in almost twenty years. This measure will adjust the rate of compensation to attract competent individuals to serve as appointed counsel for these defendants.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $2,500,000.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1914, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1914, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair