THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2251
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Making an Appropriation for the Victim Witness Assistance Program.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the department of the prosecuting attorney of the city and county of Honolulu receives federal funding from the Victims of Crime Act to support the victim witness assistance program. Over the last several years, there has been a steady decline in these federal Victims of Crime Act funds. Victims of Crime Act is funded through the crime victims fund, which receives its funding from criminal fines and forfeitures, rather than taxpayer dollars.

The legislature further finds that the decline in Victims of Crime Act funding is primarily due to a decrease in revenue collected from fines and penalties imposed on federal offenders. This funding supports the salaries of the victim witness counselors who serve a pivotal role in court cases and support victims of crimes as their cases move through the criminal justice system.

The legislature also finds that in the upcoming fiscal year 2026-2027, the department of the prosecuting attorney of the city and county of Honolulu will see the most drastic cut to its Victims of Crime Act funds since its inception, declining by forty per cent. As a result, the department requires additional state funding in the amount of $500,000 for fiscal year 2026‑2027 to maintain a complete level of service for the victim witness assistance program to serve victims of crime in the county.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys to the department of the prosecuting attorney of the city and county of Honolulu to fill the gap in federal funding with state funds.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 as a grant-in-aid to the department of the prosecuting attorney of the city and county of Honolulu for the victim witness assistance program, including the hiring of necessary staff.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of the prosecuting attorney of the city and county of Honolulu for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	By Request

Report Title:

Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package; Victim Witness Assistance Program; VOCA; GIA; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates grant-in-aid moneys to the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu for the Victim Witness Assistance Program.

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