Bill > SB428

This bill updates witness fees and reimbursement rates for both civil and criminal trials in Hawaii to address what legislators describe as outdated compensation rates. Specifically, the bill increases the daily witness fee from $4 to $30 for civil trials and from $20 to $40 for criminal trials, and replaces the previous flat rate of 20 cents per mile with the mileage allowance prescribed by the Administrator of General Services. The bill also introduces new provisions allowing witnesses to be reimbursed for actual travel expenses using common carriers, requiring them to choose the most economical rate and provide receipts. For witnesses traveling from another island, the bill increases daily attendance fees and maintains provisions for reimbursing round-trip travel costs by plane or ship. The legislature's rationale is that the existing witness fee structure has remained unchanged for a long time and is lower than federal and other states' rates, potentially making it difficult to secure witness participation in trials. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, providing ample time for courts and legal systems to prepare for the new fee structure.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=428&year=2025