STAND. COM. REP. 383

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 859

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 859 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ATTORNEY'S FEES FOR APPOINTED COUNSEL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of the bill is to bring Hawaii court-appointed counsel fee rates in line with that for the federal District Court of Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Department of the Attorney General, Hawaii State Bar Association, and concerned individuals. The Office of the Public Defender supported in part and provided comments. The Department of Budget and Finance provided comments.

Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1) Deleting reference to proof by exhibit, affidavit, testimony, or other credible evidence to determine the quality of counsel's work;

(2) Fixing the rate of compensation at $90 per hour; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubtantive changes for purposes of style and clarity.

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 H.B. No. 859, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 859, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

 

____________________________

ERIC G. HAMAKAWA, Chair