Repeals the statutory expenditure ceiling on the Automated Victim Information and Notification System Special Fund to address rising program costs and growing victim service demands. (CD1), the official text

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2289

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 2

C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE
EXPENDITURE CEILING ON THE AUTOMATED VICTIM INFORMATION AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
SPECIAL FUND.

BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1.
The legislature finds that the statewide automated victim information
and notification system, established under section 353-132, Hawaii Revised
Statutes, and administered by the department of corrections and rehabilitation's
victim notification services office, plays a vital role in ensuring crime
victims are promptly informed of changes in an offender's custody status.  The statewide automated victim information
and notification system provides real-time notifications to victims and
community members regarding custody changes, parole hearings, and other key
events, and is essential for protecting victims' rights, safety, and peace of
mind.  Demand for these services continues
to grow, with victim registrations increasing by 38.9 per cent between fiscal
year 2022-2023 and fiscal year 2024-2025 (from 42,182 to 58,606).  The statewide automated victim information and
notification system is funded through the automated victim information and
notification system special fund established under section 353-136, Hawaii
Revised Statutes.

The legislature further finds
that the existing $600,000 annual expenditure cap on the special fund has
become outdated and limits the victim notification services office's ability to
strengthen victim services, improve system infrastructure, and support
operational needs.  Payroll costs
continue to rise due to collective bargaining increases, but the existing cap
prevents the department of corrections and rehabilitation from adjusting
allocations accordingly.  As a result,
payroll increases reduce available operating funds for operations.  Operating expenses have also increased,
including contract costs for the system itself, which rose 9.17 per cent in
fiscal year 2025-2026 (from $90,636 to $98,944) and are projected to grow by
three per cent annually in subsequent years.  Rent, lease, internet, and telephone costs
have also risen.

Looking ahead, if all four
authorized positions are filled, projected expenditures will exceed the existing
statutory expenditure ceiling.  The
automated victim information and notification system special fund has a cash
balance of more than $1,500,000.  Removing
the expenditure cap will ensure the victim notification services office can
sustain operations demands, support staff salaries, and maintain uninterrupted
services statewide.

The purpose of this Act is to repeal the
statutory expenditure ceiling on the automated victim information and
notification system special fund.

SECTION 2.  Section 353-136, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended to read as follows:

"[[]§353-136[]]  Automated victim information and notification
system special fund; authorization of payment.  (a)
There is established a special fund to be known as the automated victim
information and notification system special fund, to be administered by the
department.  Interest and investment
earnings credited to the assets of the fund shall become part of the fund.  Any remaining balance in the fund at the end
of any fiscal year shall be carried over to the next fiscal year.

(b)  Any item purchased by an in-state or
out-of-state inmate from a correctional facility commissary shall be subject to
a four per cent surcharge on the item's price.
The proceeds from the surcharge shall be deposited into the automated
victim information and notification system special fund.

(c)  All proceeds or revenues that are derived
from any commission that is realized pursuant to a telephone service agreement
executed by the department for the provision of telephone services for inmates
shall be deposited into the automated victim information and notification
system special fund.

(d)  Moneys received pursuant to subsections (b)
and (c) shall be used for the development and operating expenses, including
salaries and benefits of positions as authorized by the legislature, of the
system.

[(e)
The sum total of all moneys expended for development and operating
expenses, including salaries and benefits of positions as authorized by the
legislature, shall not exceed the special fund ceiling related to the fund
established by the legislature; provided that the total moneys expended for
these purposes shall not exceed $600,000 in any one fiscal year.

(f)] (e)  Federal funds shall not be transferred to, or
deposited into, the automated victim information and notification system
special fund."

SECTION 3.
Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4.
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.