HI HCR146

Requests the Hawaii Judiciary to convene a working group to examine smarter sentencing principles and improve the quality and reliability of the State's criminal justice sentencing policies and practices.

Working group must research the application of smarter sentencing principles in cases over the past ten years, possibilities for designing and streamlining smarter sentencing processes, and the effects of indeterminate sentencing with potential restoration of judicial authority for minimum sentencing.

Requires the working group to include legislators, county prosecutors, public defenders, the Attorney General, judicial appointees, and representatives from civil rights organizations, advocacy groups, and four community members appointed by the Governor.

Working group must select a chairperson, meet at least five times before December 31, 2015, and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2016 Regular Session convenes.

Working group dissolves on June 30, 2016, and members are exempt from Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 84 conflict of interest provisions solely due to their participation.