Bill Text: HI SB2106 | 2016 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package; Witnesses in Criminal Cases; Per Diem Payments
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2016-06-30 - Act 159, 06/29/2016 (Gov. Msg. No. 1261). [SB2106 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-SB2106-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2106 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
C.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO WITNESSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the per diem stipend amount for out-of-state witnesses increased slightly in 2014, after remaining static for many years. Because the per diem stipend amount has not been adjusted to keep pace with actual cost of overnight expenses in Hawaii, including the cost of lodging or food, it has emerged as an economic barrier that either discourages or prevents an out-of-state witness from pursuing charges against offenders due to economic considerations. Often these individuals are forced to take money out of their own pockets to cover necessary personal expenses when subpoenaed to return to the State as a witness in state court proceedings. The legislature also finds that the per diem stipend amount for witnesses that are required to travel to a different island is also not sufficient to cover the witness' personal expenses when that witness is required to stay overnight.
The purpose of this Act is to increase the amount of per diem stipends for out-of-state witnesses as well as make available additional amounts of per diem stipends for a witness who must travel to another island, if that witness is required to stay overnight.
SECTION 2. Section 621-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a) Every witness legally required to attend a state court or grand jury in any criminal case, other than a public officer or employee, shall be entitled to $20 for each day's attendance and a reasonable mileage fee to be established pursuant to rules adopted by the judiciary for each mile actually and necessarily traveled on the ground each way, including travel to and from the nearest airport when required to travel from another island or from outside the State.
In addition to witness' fees, every witness:
(1) Who attends a state court from outside the State
shall be entitled to the actual round-trip cost of plane travel, plus [$145]
$200 per twenty-four-hour day; or
(2) Who attends a state court from any island in the
State other than that on which the court holds session shall be entitled to the
actual round-trip cost of plane travel, plus $55 per twenty-four-hour day; provided that when the witness is required to stay
overnight, the witness shall be entitled to an additional [$90] $145
per twenty-four-hour day.
These per diem payments shall cover all personal expenses, such as board and lodging, and shall be computed on the basis of quarter day periods of time."
SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package; Witnesses in Criminal Cases; Per Diem Payments
Description:
Increases the per diem payments for out-of-state witnesses in criminal cases. Increases the per diem payment supplement for witnesses from any island other than the island on which the court is located, when that witness is required to stay overnight. (CD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
