STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1294

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 428

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 428 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WITNESS FEES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the fees, including fees for travel expenses, paid to witnesses in civil and criminal trials.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Public Defender; Department of Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu; and League of Women Voters of Hawaii. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that witness compensation has never been raised from $4. Your Committee recognizes that witnesses are essential participants in civil and criminal cases and believes that an increase in compensation is justified and timely.

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 S.B. No. 428 and recommends that it pass Second Reading 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