THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

35

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that legal services are often prohibitively expensive for low- and moderate-income persons.  The legislature further finds that several nonprofit and volunteer organizations in the State provide quality legal services to persons who require, but lack the resources to pay for, services.  These organizations include, without limitation, Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, Domestic Violence Action Center, and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii.  While these organizations generally function on a volunteer or not-for-profit basis, they still require funding for operating costs and other expenses. 

     The purpose of this Act is to support nonprofit and volunteer organizations that provide legal services to low- and moderate-income persons by appropriating funds for the judiciary to purchase civil legal services for these persons.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the purchase of civil legal services for low- and moderate-income persons.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.


 


 

Report Title:

Civil Legal Services; Judiciary; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for the Judiciary to purchase civil legal services for low- and moderate-income persons.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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