THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1309

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the judiciary.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the amount of people coming to court has increased over the years.  Many individuals represent themselves in family court and small claims court rather than hire an attorney.  The legislature also finds that individuals representing themselves often do not know where to go, how to fill out forms, or how to comply with court procedures.

     The legislature further finds that the judiciary has implemented Ho‘okele (Hawaiian for "to guide",) legal self-help service centers in some courts around the State.  Ho‘okele  refers and directs parties to the appropriate judiciary programs, and provides parties with referrals, addresses, and telephone numbers of outside agencies who may better assist them.  Ho‘okele provides easier access to the courts, while cutting down on the significant amount of time that court staff now spends explaining procedures and policies.

     The purpose of this Act is appropriate moneys to implement Ho‘okele legal self-help service centers in Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $88,994 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 to fund the equipment, supplies, and salaries of one full-time judicial clerk III position (1.0 FTE) in Hilo and one full-time court documents clerk III position (1.0 FTE) in Kona to implement Ho‘okele legal self-help service centers.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $74,784 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 to fund the salaries of one full-time judicial clerk III position (1.0 FTE) in Hilo and one full-time court documents clerk III position (1.0 FTE) in Kona to implement Ho‘okele legal self-help service centers.

     SECTION 4.  The sums appropriated shall be expended by the judiciary for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  The Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Judiciary; Third Circuit; Ho‘okele; Appropriations

 

Description:

Appropriates moneys for equipment, supplies, and salaries for Ho‘okele legal self-help service centers in Hilo and Kona.

 

 

 

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