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 Hawaii, Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, Hawaii 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