STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2425

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3384

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 3384 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO JURY DUTY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the amount each juror or prospective juror is paid for each actual day of attendance at court.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Rainbow Family 808 and ten individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary.

Your Committee finds that increasing juror pay has a sustained impact on increasing economic and racial diversity in jury pools. Additionally, many other states pay jurors more than what jurors currently receive for their service in the State, with six states paying jurors $50 per day and four states paying $40 per day. Furthermore, Arizona, Indiana, Nevada, and North Dakota all pay jurors $80 or more per full day of service. This measure will allow more people in the State to engage in their civic duties without experiencing financial harm.

Your Committee notes that the Judiciary's testimony estimates that the Judiciary will require an increase in annual funding of $1,998,570 per year to increase juror pay from $30 to $100 per day.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3384 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair