STAND. COM. REP. NO. 622

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 946

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 946, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to expand access to legal services by establishing the access to justice trust fund under the Judiciary to fund legal services for the poor, indigent, and other vulnerable populations.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Nanci Kreidman, M.A., Domestic Violence Action Center.  Written comments in opposition were received from one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that legal services providers lack adequate funding and attorneys to address the needs of Hawaii's vulnerable populations. This measure will increase the availability of these services and help ensure that more people have access to justice.

 

     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 S.B. No. 946, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair