THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2181

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to court interpreters.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION l.  The legislature finds that court interpreters

are independent contractors of the judiciary who play an integral role in the administration of justice in the State.  Hawaii has one of the largest populations of non—English

speakers in the nation.  The legislature further finds that

court interpreters are often required to drive, sometimes for

hours, to distant courthouses to provide interpretation services

that are critical for a defendant with limited English

proficiency to exercise the defendant's constitutional and

statutory right to represent themselves in court or assist

counsel.

     The legislature finds however, that despite the substantial

increase in the cost of living in Hawaii over the years,

including considerable increases in the prices of automobiles

and gasoline, the compensation for court interpreters has remained largely unchanged since it was established in 2007.  The legislature therefore finds that an increase in the fees and rates for court interpreters is overdue.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the judiciary to increase the hourly fees, mileage reimbursement rate, and commuter—time compensation rate for court interpreters to reflect the significant increase in the cost of living in Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  The judiciary shall amend its rules and policies governing compensation for court interpreters by:

     (1)  Increasing the hourly fees for court interpreters as follows:

          (A)  Tier 1 court interpreters from $25 to $40;

          (B)  Tier 2 court interpreters from $35 to $50;

          (C)  Tier 3 court interpreters from $40 to $60;

          (D)  Tier 4 court interpreters from $45 to $70;

          (E)  Tier 5 court interpreters from $50 to $80; and

          (F)  Tier 6 court interpreters from $55 to $90; provided that the hourly fees set forth in this paragraph shall be amended on July l of each year to reflect the increase in the State's consumer price index, as measured by the Honolulu consumer price index for the preceding year;

     (2)  Amending its mileage reimbursement rate to incorporate the annual standard mileage rate issued by the Internal Revenue Service each year; and

     (3)  Amending its commuter-time compensation rate for court interpreters who travel one hundred fifty miles or more for one assignment to receive three-hours of their hourly fees as commuter-time compensation for the assignment.

     SECTION 3.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No. 300, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, C.D. 1, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2023‑2024 to be exceeded by $                or         per cent.  This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2023‑2024 in H.B. No. 300, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, C.D. 1, and this Act only.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

     (1)  The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

     (2)  The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to fund the increase in the hourly rates, mileage reimbursement rate, and commuter-time compensation rate for court interpreters pursuant to this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the judiciary for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

Court Interpreters; Hourly fees; Mileage Reimbursement Rate; Commuter compensation Rate; Judiciary; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Judiciary to increase the hourly fees, mileage

reimbursement rate, and commuter-time compensation rate for

court interpreters.  Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded.  Makes an appropriation.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.