STAND. COM. REP. NO. 801

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 264

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 264 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST SPORTS OFFICIALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Make intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a sports official a class C felony; and

(2) Authorize a court to enjoin the offender from attending any sports event of the type at which the sports official was engaged in the lawful discharge of the sports official's duties.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Honolulu Police Department, Hawaii State Basketball Officials Association, and ten individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of the Public Defender.

Your Committee finds that this measure will afford protection within the justice system for threats and bodily harm to sports officials when spectators and fans are uncontrollable and allow for athletes to continue to have a positive athletic experience.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 264 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair