KAILUA-KONA — A bill to boost funding for a specialized unit targeted for repeat offenders passed its first committee in the state Legislature last week.
A joint committee of the Judiciary and Public Safety, Intergovernmental Military Affairs heard the bill Friday. Each committee voted unanimously to pass the bill without amendments.
It next needs to secure a hearing before the Senate Committee on Ways and Means no later than Friday to remain alive.
The bill would appropriate $365,000 in fiscal years 2019-20 and 2020-21 for the county Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Career Criminal Unit. The unit targets repeat offenders who cause the most trouble in the community.
A similar bill in the House, HB 53, also seeks $365,000 in FY 2019-20 and 2020-21 for the unit and is starting to move. The measure, co-introduced/sponsored by all seven Big Island House legislators, is set to be heard by the House Judiciary Committee today.