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Finance Committee passes HB 400 with amendments, defers effective date
Summary
The committee advanced HB 400, relating to the judiciary budget, with amendments that defer the bill’s effective date and made a technical change in CIP funding after testimony from judiciary and legal services organizations.
The House Committee on Finance voted to pass House Bill 400 — a judiciary budget measure — with amendments that defer the bill’s effective date and to accept a small change in the capital improvement project (CIP) portion of the bill.
The judiciary and several legal-services organizations testified in support during the hearing. Brandon Kimura, director of the Judiciary’s Policy and Planning Department, provided oral testimony on behalf of the Judiciary and stated he stood on the written testimony and was available for questions. Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii also testified in support.
Why it matters: HB 400 funds judiciary operations and related civil legal services. Changes to the judiciary budget affect court operations, access to justice and funding lines used to support civil legal help for low-income residents.
Committee action followed testimony from the Judiciary and civil-legal providers. The chair described the committee’s change as a deferral of the effective date and noted a minor CIP change; members then moved to recommend passage with the recorded amendment. The committee recorded no reservations or recorded no votes against the recommendation when the chair called for objections, and the recommendation was adopted.
Testimony highlights: Brandon Kimura of the Judiciary said the proposal aligns with the judiciary’s written priorities and that he was available for questions. David Copper, executive director of the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, said the judiciary’s general budget priorities are “integral to access to justice and access to the courts,” and emphasized a civil legal services line item that funds providers. Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii (Rachel Figueroa) also noted support and availability for questions.
Next steps: With the committee’s recommendation to pass HB 400 with amendments adopted, the bill will move forward in the House process with the committee-suggested modifications noted for further consideration in any subsequent chamber action or conference discussions.
