STAND. COM. REP. NO. 798

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 983

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. 983 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TIME LIMITATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify the scope and applicability of provisions related to the time limitations to bring prosecution for a public officer or employee based on misconduct in office.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and one individual.

Your Committee finds that existing law allows for an extension of the time within which prosecutions may be brought based on misconduct in office by a public officer or employee because of the additional time needed to thoroughly investigate these alleged offenses. However, the law does not define "public officer or employee". This measure will increase the public's trust in state and county government by clarifying who is considered a public officer or employee, while providing law enforcement with the time needed to adequately investigate and prosecute the offense.

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. 983 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