STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2201

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2106

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2106 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WITNESSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to reduce the economic obstacle that discourages or prevents victims and other witnesses in criminal cases from pursuing charges against offenders due to economic considerations. 

Specifically, for criminal cases, this measure increases:

     (1)  The per diem stipend amount for out-of-state witnesses, from $145 to $200; and

     (2)  The supplemental per diem stipend amount available for a witness who must travel to another island and stay overnight, from $90 to $145.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the City and County of Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney.

     Your Committee finds that an economic barrier has emerged that discourages victims and other witnesses from pursuing charges against offenders because the per diem stipend amount for out-of-state witnesses and witnesses required to travel to a different island and stay overnight has not been adjusted to Hawaii's present cost of living.  For example, many out-of-state witnesses must pay out of pocket for their necessary expenses such as food or lodging when subpoenaed to return to the State in state court proceedings.  Your Committee further finds that increasing these per diem stipends will reduce this economic barrier and encourage victims and other witnesses to pursue charges against offenders.

     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. 2106 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair