HI HB2084

Appropriates $500,000 from Hawaii's general revenues as a grant-in-aid to the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for fiscal year 2026-2027 to support the Victim Witness Assistance Program.

Federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding for the program will decline by 40% in FY 2026-2027, the largest cut since the program's inception.

VOCA funds, which come from federal criminal fines and forfeitures rather than taxpayer dollars, have steadily declined due to reduced federal collections.

The appropriation will fund victim witness counselors who support crime victims as their cases move through the criminal justice system.

Effective date is July 1, 2026.