Hawaii Senate Bill SB2376

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/24
• Refer: 1/22/24
• Report Pass: 2/8/24
• Refer: 2/8/24

Caption

Relating To Compensation For Court-appointed Representation.

Impact

The financial implications of SB2376 include a significant appropriation of $1,500,000 from the state general revenues to fund these increased compensation rates and associated contracts. This adjustment aims to help meet the rising costs associated with court-appointed representation, which has become a significant concern in light of the complex nature of family law cases. It reflects a legislative acknowledgment of the need for adequate compensation to ensure that defendants receive effective legal representation—thereby potentially improving the outcomes in family court and ensuring that representation is accessible for all parties involved.

Summary

SB2376 is a legislative proposal aimed at amending the existing compensation regulations for court-appointed representation in Hawaii's family courts. Specifically, it seeks to increase the hourly compensation rates for attorneys and guardian ad litem services provided during court proceedings. The bill suggests raising the compensation from the previous rates of $90 to $150 per hour for attorneys, and from $60 to $100 per hour for non-attorney services. Additionally, it proposes increasing the maximum allowable fees per case, facilitating better financial support for legal representation in family court cases.

Contention

Notably, the bill does declare that the appropriation will exceed the state's general fund expenditure ceiling for the fiscal year 2024-2025, raising questions regarding budgetary constraints and priority allocations within the state legislature. Critics may argue that while increased compensation is critical, the implications for the overall state budget may lead to further debates about fiscal responsibility versus the need for increased funding in the judicial system. These discussions will likely touch upon broader themes related to public funding and the prioritization of judicial processing within the state's budgetary framework.