All Roll Calls
Yes: 219 • No: 0
HawaiiSB 4282025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)Senate
RELATING TO WITNESS FEES.
Sponsored By: Karl Rhoads (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Increases the fees paid to witnesses in civil and criminal trials. Changes the fees paid to witnesses in civil trials for travel expenses from 20 cents a mile to the mileage allowance prescribed by the Administrator of General Services. Authorizes reimbursement to witnesses in civil trials for use of common carriers. (CD1)
Witness FeesMileageIncreaseJHA, FIN
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Higher pay and travel refunds for witnesses
Beginning July 1, 2025, civil trial witnesses receive $30 per day, up from $4; witnesses from another island receive $36, up from $6. Civil witnesses can claim mileage at the federal rate instead of 20 cents per mile. Those traveling from another island by plane or ship can claim actual round-trip costs; common-carrier claims require receipts. Criminal case witnesses who are not public officers or employees receive $40 per day, up from $20, subject to the law’s stated exception. Criminal witnesses also receive a mileage fee set by court rules. Those traveling from outside Hawaii receive actual round-trip airfare plus $250 per 24-hour day. Those traveling from another island receive actual round-trip airfare plus $55 per 24-hour day, and an additional $195 per 24-hour day when an overnight stay is required. These per diem payments cover personal expenses, including lodging and meals, and are counted in quarter-day periods.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Karl Rhoads
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/30/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 49 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/23/2025
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS....
Yes: 2 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2025
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments....
Yes: 3 • No: 0
House vote • 4/8/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 49 • No: 0
House vote • 3/28/2025
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 14 • No: 0
House vote • 3/18/2025
Passed Second Reading and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting a...
Yes: 49 • No: 0
House vote • 3/11/2025
The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes ...
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/26/2025
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The...
Yes: 13 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/30/2025
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The...
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act 153, 06/03/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1253).
6/3/2025SenateAct 153, on 06/03/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1253).
6/3/2025HouseReceived notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 821).
5/2/2025SenateEnrolled to Governor.
5/2/2025SenateReceived notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 888).
5/1/2025HousePassed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
4/30/2025SenatePassed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick excused (2).
4/30/2025HouseReported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 122).
4/25/2025Senate48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-25.
4/25/2025SenateReported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 122) as amended in (CD 1).
4/25/2025HouseForty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 04-30-25.
4/25/2025HouseThe Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.
4/23/2025SenateThe Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Kitagawa, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
4/23/2025HouseConference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-22-25 2:00PM; Conference Room 325.
4/22/2025SenateConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Wednesday 04-23-25 2:15PM in conference room 325.
4/22/2025HouseReceived notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 754).
4/21/2025SenateHouse Conferees Appointed: Tarnas, Kitagawa Co-Chairs; Shimizu.
4/17/2025HouseConference committee meeting scheduled for 04-21-25 2:00PM; Conference Room 325.
4/17/2025SenateSenate Conferees Appointed: Rhoads Chair; Kanuha Co-Chair; Awa.
4/15/2025SenateReceived notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 789).
4/15/2025HouseReceived from House (Hse. Com. No. 646).
4/10/2025SenateSenate disagrees with House amendments.
4/10/2025SenateReceived notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 779).
4/10/2025HousePassed Third Reading as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Marten excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.
4/8/2025HouseReported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1989) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Third Reading.
4/4/2025House
Bill Text
Bill Text
Original
SB428_CD1
SB428_HD1
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