STAND. COM. REP. NO. 741-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1567

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1567, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PRETRIAL REFORM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Eliminate the use of monetary bail and require defendants to be released on their own recognizance for traffic offenses, violations, nonviolent petty misdemeanor offenses, or nonviolent misdemeanor offenses; and

(2) Allow defendants the option to participate in a bail report interview via videoconference.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Office of the Public Defender, Hawai‘i Correctional System Oversight Commission, Hawai‘i Health & Harm Reduction Center, Community Alliance on Prisons, Trinity United Methodist Church, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Imua Alliance, and thirteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Retail Merchants of Hawaii, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Faith Action for Community Equity, Common Cause Hawaii, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i, and twelve individuals.

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. 1567, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair