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oJrT�os M� <br /> COUNTY OF HAWAII' /.• STATE OF HAWAII <br /> RESOLUTION NO. 298 1°4 <br /> A RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO PASS SENATE <br /> BILL NO. 879, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, TO INCREASE THE PER DIEM STIPEND FOR <br /> WITNESSES IN CRIMINAL CASES. <br /> WHEREAS, Hawai`i Revised Statutes, Section 621-7, sets the stipend for out-of-state <br /> witnesses who are legally required to attend a State court or grand jury in any criminal case at <br /> $110 per day in addition to the cost for plane travel; and <br /> WHEREAS, the $110 stipend has not been increased since 1989; and <br /> WHEREAS, the stipend is no longer sufficient to cover the personal expenses of out-of- <br /> state witnesses, such as lodging and food, causing them to use their own funds to cover expenses; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS, the per diem stipend for witnesses who are required to travel to a different <br /> island is also insufficient to cover expenses when the witness is required to stay overnight; and <br /> WHEREAS, the lack of a cost-of-living adjustment in the stipend has resulted in <br /> witnesses in domestic violence situations and other criminal cases declining to pursue charges <br /> against offenders for economic reasons; and <br /> WHEREAS, Senate Bill No. 879, introduced in the 2013 regular session of the Hawai`i <br /> State Legislature, addresses these concerns by providing for an increase in the per diem stipend <br /> for the personal expenses of witnesses who are out-of-state or who have to stay overnight on <br /> another island; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Department of Budget and Finance estimates the cost of the increase in <br /> per diem stipends to be $21,000 per year; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Hawai`i State Senate approved Senate Bill No. 879, S.D. 1, on March 5, <br /> 2013, by a unanimous vote of 25 ayes; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Hawai`i State House approved Senate Bill No. 879, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, on <br /> April 9, 2013, by a unanimous vote of 51 ayes; and <br /> WHEREAS, despite unanimous support in the Legislature for increasing the per diem <br /> stipend, conference committee members could not reach an agreement on the amendments <br /> during the 2013 legislative session; and <br /> WHEREAS, additional delays in the passage of Senate Bill No. 879, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, may <br /> result in the denial of justice for crime victims in the State of Hawai`i; now, therefore, <br />