CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 32

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2023

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1079

       S.D. 1

       H.D. 1

       C.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sirs:

 

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 1079, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EXPUNGEMENT,"

 

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

 

     The purpose of this measure is to require courts to, upon application to the court, expunge records of convictions for first-time offenses involving:

 

     (1)  Operating a vehicle after consuming a measurable amount of alcohol while under the age of twenty-one years; and

 

     (2)  Certain property offenses,

 

if the sentencing occurred before 1998.

 

     Your Committee on Conference finds that any individual who has committed the offense of operating a vehicle after consuming a measurable amount of alcohol while under the age of twenty-one before 1998 or committed certain property offenses before 1998, is now in a different place in their life.  While the offenses occurred over twenty-five years ago, these individuals are otherwise forced to continue to suffer the harsh consequences of being burdened with a criminal record when engaging in common activities, such as finding employment, having educational opportunities, or being provided housing options.  This measure will assist many people by improving their overall quality of life.

 

     Your Committee on Conference has amended the measure by making it effective on July 1, 2025.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1079, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1079, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

 

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

 

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

 

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS

Chair

 

____________________________

KARL RHOADS

Chair