STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3713

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1913

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1913, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMPENSATION FOR COURT-APPOINTED REPRESENTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the rate of compensation and maximum allowable amounts per case for court-appointed counsel and guardians ad litem in family court proceedings.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Department of Human Services, and ACLU of Hawaii.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Bar Association.

Your Committee finds that the increased rate of compensation and maximum allowable amounts per case will assist the Judiciary in recruiting and retaining qualified and experienced court-appointed counsel and guardians ad litem in family court proceedings, which will prevent unnecessary delays in family court cases.

Your Committee notes that this measure, as received by your Committee, appropriated $1,500,000 for the increased rate of compensation provided in the bill.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation from $1,500,000 to an unspecified amount; and

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1913, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1913, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair