Bill Text: HI HB622 | 2013 | Regular Session | Amended

---

Bill Title: Evidence; News Media Privilege; Shield Law

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)

Status: (Enrolled - Dead) 2013-05-02 - Recommitted to Conference committee as amended in CD 1 with none voting no and Representative(s) Oshiro, Takumi excused. [HB622 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2013-HB622-Amended.html

---

 

 

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  354

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

 

RE:   H.B. No. 622

      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 Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 622 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EVIDENCE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to protect the freedom of the press by making permanent the limited news media privilege against the compelled disclosure of sources and unpublished information to a legislative, executive, or judicial officer or body, or to any other person who may compel testimony.

 

     The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, Hawaii Shield Law Coalition, Community Alliance on Prisons, and one concerned citizen testified in support of this measure.  The Department of the Attorney General provided comments on this bill and suggested amendments.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Including language in the preamble to acknowledge that certain amendments suggested by the Supreme Court Standing Committee on the Rules of Evidence are incorporated in the codification of the limited news media privilege;

     (2)  Expanding the exception to the privilege to include cases where there is substantial evidence that the information sought is material to the investigation, prosecution, or defense of a potential felony or serious crime involving the unlawful injury to persons or animals, or to any civil action;

 

     (3)  Clarifying that only those who validly invoke the privilege will be shielded from fine or imprisonment; and

 

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.  

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 622, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 622, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

		____________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair