STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3104

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2289

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2289, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE EXPENDITURE CEILING ON THE AUTOMATED VICTIM INFORMATION AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEM SPECIAL FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to repeal the $600,000 annual expenditure ceiling on the Automated Victim Information and Notification System Special Fund to address rising program costs and growing victim service demands.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Crime Victim Compensation Commission, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaii, Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation operates the Statewide Automated Victim Information Notification (SAVIN) System through the Victim Notification Services Office. The SAVIN System performs an essential function by informing victims, not only of critical updates related to their case, but also of vital information and support services. Even minor delays or interruptions to the SAVIN System can cause significant harm to victims. However, increased salaries from collective bargaining, rising costs of the SAVIN System contract, and other expenses, such as telephone and internet service charges, have reduced the operating funds available for the Victim Notification Services Office to fulfill its functions. Without an increase in the annual expenditure cap, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will be unable to meet rising costs, maintain staffing levels, and preserve critical infrastructure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2289, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2289, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,

________________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair