STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1471

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 396

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 396, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent 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 written comments in support of this measure from the Judiciary; Office of the Kauai County Clerk, Council Services Division; League of Women Voters of Hawaii; and American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii.

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

Your Committee finds that increasing the compensation for court-appointed counsel in criminal proceedings will help protect the constitutional right to counsel and support access to justice by allowing the State to recruit and retain attorneys who are qualified, experienced, and willing to be appointed to represent defendants in criminal matters.

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. 396, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair