STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2561
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 2008
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirtieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2020
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2008 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to make an appropriation to the Judiciary to purchase civil legal services for low and moderate income persons.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Department of Human Services, Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i, Volunteer Legal Services Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Access to Justice Commission, and two individuals.
Your Committee finds
that legal services are often prohibitively expensive for low and moderate
income persons. Your Committee further
finds that a number of non-profit and volunteer organizations exist to provide
quality legal services to persons who require services but lack the resources
to pay for them. Your Committee
additionally finds that, although these organizations generally function on a
volunteer basis, they still require funding for operating costs and other expenses. Your Committee notes that similar funding is
provided in S.B. No. 2116, Regular Session of 2020, which previously passed out
of your Committee. This measure will
support these organizations by providing legal services to those in need.
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 S.B. No. 2008 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,
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________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair |
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