CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 1

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 228

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 228, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FRAUD,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the offense of fraud as a class B felony;

(2) Establish the offense of making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim against the State or a county as a class C felony; and

(3) Establish the offense of the use of false statements or entries in matters within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of the State as a class C felony.

Your Committee on Conference finds that it is of utmost importance to restore public trust in state government and increase the level of transparency in government operations and accountability of individuals. Your Committee on Conference also recognizes that to improve the standard of conduct within government, and to more effectively combat fraud, waste, and corruption, it is necessary to establish criminal offenses and penalties.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by making it effective upon its approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 228, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 228, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS Chair

____________________________ KARL RHOADS Chair