HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1608
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the office of the public defender provides necessary legal representation to indigent individuals in criminal, involuntary commitment, and family law cases as required by the United States and Hawaii constitutions, statutes, and judicial opinions.  The legislature further finds that Act 9, Session Laws of Hawaii 2020, defunded seven positions in the office of the public defender, six of which were eventually abolished.

     The purpose of this Act is to fund four deputy public defender positions and require that one deputy public defender be assigned to the family court section.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $627,300 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) deputy public defender III positions within the office of the public defender (BUF151); provided that one deputy public defender shall be assigned to the family court section.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of the public defender for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $          , or       per cent.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that the appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest and to meet the needs provided for by this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on April 14, 2112.

 

 

Report Title:

Office of the Public Defender; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for four deputy public defender positions within the Office of the Public Defender and requires that one of the positions be assigned to the family court section.  Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded.  Takes effect 4/14/2112.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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