Bill Text: HI HB238 | 2013 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Honolulu Prosecutor Package; Witnesses in Criminal Cases; Per Diem Payments

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2013-03-07 - Referred to JDL, WAM. [HB238 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2013-HB238-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO.  897

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

 

RE:   H.B. No. 238

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 238 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WITNESSES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to support witnesses in criminal proceedings by:

 

     (1)  Raising the per diem rate for out-of-state witnesses from $110 to $145; and

 

     (2)  Providing an additional $90 per diem payment for witnesses traveling from another island within the State who are required to stay overnight.

 

     The Crime Victim Compensation Commission, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Budget and Finance provided comments.

 

     Your Committee finds that per diem stipends for witnesses who must travel to an island within the State where criminal proceedings are conducted have remained unchanged for decades and are no longer sufficient to pay for personal expenses such as lodging and meals.  This measure adjusts per diem stipends to reflect the current cost of living in Hawaii and prevent economic barriers that may discourage or prevent witnesses from participating in criminal proceedings.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the amount of the increased per diem payment for out-of-state witnesses in criminal cases to an unspecified amount;

 

     (2)  Changing the amount of the additional per diem payment for witnesses traveling from another island within the State who are required to stay overnight to an unspecified amount;

 

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2030, to encourage further discussion on this measure; and

 

     (4)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 238, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 238, H.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

		____________________________ SYLVIA LUKE, Chair