STAND. COM. REP. NO. 857

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 428

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 S.B. No. 428 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the League of Women Voters of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that increasing witness fees will help reduce financial barriers for witnesses who appear in court to testify, especially witnesses who have limited financial means.

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

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair