SB 2152: Constitutional Amendment; Judges; Mandatory Retirement Age
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2026-03-24
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-05-01: Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:40 PM; Conference Room 325.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
This proposed constitutional amendment would raise the mandatory retirement age for all Hawaii state court justices and judges from 70 to 75. It would apply to justices and judges across the state courts, including the supreme, appellate, circuit, and district courts.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges from seventy to seventy‑five years of age. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges from seventy to seventy‑five years of age. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
Proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges from seventy to seventy‑five years of age. (SD1)
Proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges from seventy to seventy‑five years of age.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2152 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI, SECTION 3, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO INCREASE THE MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE FOR STATE JUSTICES AND JUDGES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 2. Article VI, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii is amended to read as follows:
"APPOINTMENT OF JUSTICES AND JUDGES
Section 3. The governor, with the consent of the senate,
shall fill a vacancy in the office of the chief justice, supreme court,
intermediate appellate court and circuit courts by appointing a person from a
list of not less than four[,] and not more than six nominees for the
vacancy presented to the governor by the judicial selection commission.
If the governor fails to make any appointment within thirty days of presentation, or within ten days of the senate's rejection of any previous appointment, the appointment shall be made by the judicial selection commission from the list with the consent of the senate. If the senate fails to reject any appointment within thirty days thereof, the senate shall be deemed to have consented to that appointment. If the senate rejects any appointment, the governor shall make another appointment from the list within ten days thereof. The same appointment and consent procedure shall be followed until a valid appointment has been made, or failing this, the judicial selection commission shall make the appointment from the list, without senate consent.
The chief justice, with the consent of the senate, shall fill a vacancy in the district courts by appointing a person from a list of not less than four and not more than six nominees for the vacancy presented to the chief justice by the judicial selection commission. If the chief justice fails to make any appointment within thirty days of presentation, or within ten days of the senate's rejection of any previous appointment, the appointment shall be made by the judicial selection commission from the list with the consent of the senate. If the senate fails to reject any appointment within thirty days thereof, the senate shall be deemed to have consented to that appointment. If the senate rejects any appointment, the chief justice shall make another appointment from the list within ten days thereof. The same appointment and consent procedure shall be followed until a valid appointment has been made, or failing this, the judicial selection commission shall make the appointment from the list, without senate consent. The chief justice shall appoint per diem district court judges as provided by law.
The judicial selection commission shall disclose to the public the list of nominees for each vacancy concurrently with the presentation of each list to the governor or the chief justice, as applicable.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT
Justices and judges shall be residents and citizens of the State and of the United States, and licensed to practice law by the supreme court. A justice of the supreme court, judge of the intermediate appellate court and judge of the circuit court shall have been so licensed for a period of not less than ten years preceding nomination. A judge of the district court shall have been so licensed for a period of not less than five years preceding nomination.
No justice or judge shall, during the term of office, engage in the practice of law, or run for or hold any other office or position of profit under the United States, the State or its political subdivisions.
TENURE; RETIREMENT
The term of office of justices and judges of the supreme court, intermediate appellate court and circuit courts shall be ten years. Judges of district courts shall hold office for the periods as provided by law. At least six months before the expiration of a justice's or judge's term of office, every justice and judge shall petition the judicial selection commission to be retained in office or shall inform the commission of an intention to retire. If the judicial selection commission determines that the justice or judge should be retained in office, the commission shall renew the term of office of the justice or judge for the period provided by this section or by law.
Justices
and judges shall be retired upon attaining the age of [seventy] seventy-five
years. They shall be included in any
retirement law of the State."
SECTION 3. The question to be printed on the ballot shall be as follows:
"Shall the Hawaii State Constitution be amended to increase the mandatory retirement age for all state court justices and judges from seventy to seventy‑five years of age?"
SECTION 4. Constitutional material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New constitutional material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This amendment shall take effect on July 1, 3000, upon compliance with article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.
Report Title:
Constitutional Amendment; Judges; Mandatory Retirement Age
Description:
Proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges from seventy to seventy‑five years of age. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2152 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI, SECTION 3, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO INCREASE THE MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE FOR STATE JUSTICES AND JUDGES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 2. Article VI, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii is amended to read as follows:
"APPOINTMENT OF JUSTICES AND JUDGES
Section 3. The governor, with the consent of the senate, shall fill a vacancy in the office of the chief justice, supreme court, intermediate appellate court and circuit courts by appointing a person from a list of not less than four, and not more than six nominees for the vacancy presented to the governor by the judicial selection commission.
If the governor fails to make any appointment within thirty days of presentation, or within ten days of the senate's rejection of any previous appointment, the appointment shall be made by the judicial selection commission from the list with the consent of the senate. If the senate fails to reject any appointment within thirty days thereof, the senate shall be deemed to have consented to that appointment. If the senate rejects any appointment, the governor shall make another appointment from the list within ten days thereof. The same appointment and consent procedure shall be followed until a valid appointment has been made, or failing this, the judicial selection commission shall make the appointment from the list, without senate consent.
The chief justice, with the consent of the senate, shall fill a vacancy in the district courts by appointing a person from a list of not less than four and not more than six nominees for the vacancy presented to the chief justice by the judicial selection commission. If the chief justice fails to make any appointment within thirty days of presentation, or within ten days of the senate's rejection of any previous appointment, the appointment shall be made by the judicial selection commission from the list with the consent of the senate. If the senate fails to reject any appointment within thirty days thereof, the senate shall be deemed to have consented to that appointment. If the senate rejects any appointment, the chief justice shall make another appointment from the list within ten days thereof. The same appointment and consent procedure shall be followed until a valid appointment has been made, or failing this, the judicial selection commission shall make the appointment from the list, without senate consent. The chief justice shall appoint per diem district court judges as provided by law.
The judicial selection commission shall disclose to the public the list of nominees for each vacancy concurrently with the presentation of each list to the governor or the chief justice, as applicable.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT
Justices and judges shall be residents and citizens of the State and of the United States, and licensed to practice law by the supreme court. A justice of the supreme court, judge of the intermediate appellate court and judge of the circuit court shall have been so licensed for a period of not less than ten years preceding nomination. A judge of the district court shall have been so licensed for a period of not less than five years preceding nomination.
No justice or judge shall, during the term of office, engage in the practice of law, or run for or hold any other office or position of profit under the United States, the State or its political subdivisions.
TENURE; RETIREMENT
The term of office of justices and judges of the supreme court, intermediate appellate court and circuit courts shall be ten years. Judges of district courts shall hold office for the periods as provided by law. At least six months before the expiration of a justice's or judge's term of office, every justice and judge shall petition the judicial selection commission to be retained in office or shall inform the commission of an intention to retire. If the judicial selection commission determines that the justice or judge should be retained in office, the commission shall renew the term of office of the justice or judge for the period provided by this section or by law.
Justices
and judges shall be retired upon attaining the age of [seventy] seventy-five
years. They shall be included in any
retirement law of the State."
SECTION 3. The question to be printed on the ballot shall be as follows:
"Shall the mandatory retirement age for all state court justices and judges be increased from seventy to seventy‑five years of age?"
SECTION 4. Constitutional material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New constitutional material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This amendment shall take effect on July 1, 2050, upon compliance with article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.
Report Title:
Constitutional Amendment; Judges; Mandatory Retirement Age
Description:
Proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges from seventy to seventy‑five years of age. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2152 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI, SECTION 3, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO INCREASE THE MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE FOR STATE JUSTICES AND JUDGES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 2. Article VI, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii is amended to read as follows:
"APPOINTMENT OF JUSTICES AND JUDGES
Section 3. The governor, with the consent of the senate, shall fill a vacancy in the office of the chief justice, supreme court, intermediate appellate court and circuit courts by appointing a person from a list of not less than four, and not more than six nominees for the vacancy presented to the governor by the judicial selection commission.
If the governor fails to make any appointment within thirty days of presentation, or within ten days of the senate's rejection of any previous appointment, the appointment shall be made by the judicial selection commission from the list with the consent of the senate. If the senate fails to reject any appointment within thirty days thereof, the senate shall be deemed to have consented to that appointment. If the senate rejects any appointment, the governor shall make another appointment from the list within ten days thereof. The same appointment and consent procedure shall be followed until a valid appointment has been made, or failing this, the judicial selection commission shall make the appointment from the list, without senate consent.
The chief justice, with the consent of the senate, shall fill a vacancy in the district courts by appointing a person from a list of not less than four and not more than six nominees for the vacancy presented to the chief justice by the judicial selection commission. If the chief justice fails to make any appointment within thirty days of presentation, or within ten days of the senate's rejection of any previous appointment, the appointment shall be made by the judicial selection commission from the list with the consent of the senate. If the senate fails to reject any appointment within thirty days thereof, the senate shall be deemed to have consented to that appointment. If the senate rejects any appointment, the chief justice shall make another appointment from the list within ten days thereof. The same appointment and consent procedure shall be followed until a valid appointment has been made, or failing this, the judicial selection commission shall make the appointment from the list, without senate consent. The chief justice shall appoint per diem district court judges as provided by law.
The judicial selection commission shall disclose to the public the list of nominees for each vacancy concurrently with the presentation of each list to the governor or the chief justice, as applicable.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT
Justices and judges shall be residents and citizens of the State and of the United States, and licensed to practice law by the supreme court. A justice of the supreme court, judge of the intermediate appellate court and judge of the circuit court shall have been so licensed for a period of not less than ten years preceding nomination. A judge of the district court shall have been so licensed for a period of not less than five years preceding nomination.
No justice or judge shall, during the term of office, engage in the practice of law, or run for or hold any other office or position of profit under the United States, the State or its political subdivisions.
TENURE; RETIREMENT
The term of office of justices and judges of the supreme court, intermediate appellate court and circuit courts shall be ten years. Judges of district courts shall hold office for the periods as provided by law. At least six months before the expiration of a justice's or judge's term of office, every justice and judge shall petition the judicial selection commission to be retained in office or shall inform the commission of an intention to retire. If the judicial selection commission determines that the justice or judge should be retained in office, the commission shall renew the term of office of the justice or judge for the period provided by this section or by law.
Justices
and judges shall be retired upon attaining the age of [seventy] seventy-five
years. They shall be included in any
retirement law of the State."
SECTION 3. The question to be printed on the ballot shall be as follows:
"Shall the mandatory retirement age for all state court justices and judges be increased from seventy to seventy‑five years of age?"
SECTION 4. Constitutional material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New constitutional material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This amendment shall take effect upon compliance with article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.
Report Title:
Constitutional Amendment; Judges; Mandatory Retirement Age
Description:
Proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges from seventy to seventy‑five years of age. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2152 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI, SECTION 3, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO INCREASE THE MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE FOR STATE JUSTICES AND JUDGES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 2. Article 6, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii is amended to read as follows:
"APPOINTMENT OF JUSTICES AND JUDGES
Section 3. The governor, with the consent of the senate, shall fill a vacancy in the office of the chief justice, supreme court, intermediate appellate court and circuit courts by appointing a person from a list of not less than four, and not more than six nominees for the vacancy presented to the governor by the judicial selection commission.
If the governor fails to make any appointment within thirty days of presentation, or within ten days of the senate's rejection of any previous appointment, the appointment shall be made by the judicial selection commission from the list with the consent of the senate. If the senate fails to reject any appointment within thirty days thereof, the senate shall be deemed to have consented to that appointment. If the senate rejects any appointment, the governor shall make another appointment from the list within ten days thereof. The same appointment and consent procedure shall be followed until a valid appointment has been made, or failing this, the judicial selection commission shall make the appointment from the list, without senate consent.
The chief justice, with the consent of the senate, shall fill a vacancy in the district courts by appointing a person from a list of not less than four and not more than six nominees for the vacancy presented to the chief justice by the judicial selection commission. If the chief justice fails to make any appointment within thirty days of presentation, or within ten days of the senate's rejection of any previous appointment, the appointment shall be made by the judicial selection commission from the list with the consent of the senate. If the senate fails to reject any appointment within thirty days thereof, the senate shall be deemed to have consented to that appointment. If the senate rejects any appointment, the chief justice shall make another appointment from the list within ten days thereof. The same appointment and consent procedure shall be followed until a valid appointment has been made, or failing this, the judicial selection commission shall make the appointment from the list, without senate consent. The chief justice shall appoint per diem district court judges as provided by law.
The judicial selection commission shall disclose to the public the list of nominees for each vacancy concurrently with the presentation of each list to the governor or the chief justice, as applicable.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT
Justices and judges shall be residents and citizens of the State and of the United States, and licensed to practice law by the supreme court. A justice of the supreme court, judge of the intermediate appellate court and judge of the circuit court shall have been so licensed for a period of not less than ten years preceding nomination. A judge of the district court shall have been so licensed for a period of not less than five years preceding nomination.
No justice or judge shall, during the term of office, engage in the practice of law, or run for or hold any other office or position of profit under the United States, the State or its political subdivisions.
TENURE; RETIREMENT
The term of office of justices and judges of the supreme court, intermediate appellate court and circuit courts shall be ten years. Judges of district courts shall hold office for the periods as provided by law. At least six months before the expiration of a justice's or judge's term of office, every justice and judge shall petition the judicial selection commission to be retained in office or shall inform the commission of an intention to retire. If the judicial selection commission determines that the justice or judge should be retained in office, the commission shall renew the term of office of the justice or judge for the period provided by this section or by law.
Justices
and judges shall be retired upon attaining the age of [seventy] seventy-five
years. They shall be included in any
retirement law of the State."
SECTION 3. The question to be printed on the ballot shall be as follows:
"Shall the mandatory retirement age for all state court justices and judges be increased from seventy to seventy‑five years of age?"
SECTION 4. Constitutional material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New constitutional material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This amendment shall take effect upon compliance with article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
Constitutional Amendment; Judges; Mandatory Retirement Age
Description:
Proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges from seventy to seventy‑five years of age.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| May 1, 2026 | Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:40 PM; Conference Room 325. |
| Apr 30, 2026 | Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 2:00PM in conference room 325. |
| Apr 29, 2026 | Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-30-26 2:00PM; Conference Room 325. |
| Apr 28, 2026 | Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-29-26 2:00PM; CR 325. |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Tuesday 04-28-26 2:00PM in conference room 325. |
| Apr 24, 2026 | Notice of the final form of a bill proposing constitutional amendment transmitted to Governor pursuant to Article XVII, Section 3 (Sen. Com. No. 3). |
| Apr 24, 2026 | Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Monday 04-27-26 2:00PM in conference room 325. |
| Apr 23, 2026 | Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-24-26 3:10PM; Conference Room 325. |
| Apr 22, 2026 | Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-23-26 2:00PM; Conference Room 325. |
| Apr 21, 2026 | Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Wednesday, 04-22-26 2:00PM in conference room 325. |
| Apr 20, 2026 | Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 714). |
| Apr 20, 2026 | Senate Conferees Appointed: Rhoads Chair; Kim Co-Chair; Fevella. |
| Apr 20, 2026 | Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 787). |
| Apr 20, 2026 | House Conferees Appointed: Tarnas, Hartsfield Co-Chairs; Belatti, Poepoe, Shimizu. |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710). |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Senate disagrees with House amendments. |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 633). |
| Apr 14, 2026 | Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1). Transmitted to Senate. |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Deferred one day 04-14-26. |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2075-26), recommending passage on Third Reading. |
| Apr 7, 2026 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 15 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Alcos; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Morikawa. |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Bill scheduled for decision making on Tuesday, 04-07-26 10:10AM in conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Apr 2, 2026 | The committee(s) on FIN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 04-07-26. |
| Mar 31, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Thursday, 04-02-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 25, 2026 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Matsumoto, Perruso excused (2). |
| Mar 25, 2026 | Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1412-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN. |
| Mar 17, 2026 | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Cochran, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 03-17-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 15 |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Pass First Reading |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Notice of bill proposing constitutional amendment transmitted to Governor pursuant to Article XVII, Section 3 (Sen. Com. No. 1). |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 22) in amended form (SD 2). |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 1 (Senator(s) Awa). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House. |
| Feb 24, 2026 | 48 Hrs. Notice 03-05-26. |
| Feb 24, 2026 | Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2710) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). |
| Feb 19, 2026 | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 11 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Kidani, Richards. |
| Feb 13, 2026 | The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-19-26 10:30AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. |
| Feb 11, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Feb 11, 2026 | Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2154) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Jan 30, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) San Buenaventura. |
| Jan 27, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 01-30-26 10:00AM; CR 016 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Referred to JDC, WAM. |
| Jan 21, 2026 | Introduced and passed First Reading. |
| Jan 14, 2026 | Pending Introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Apr 14, 2026 | Third Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Apr 7, 2026 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | House Standing Committee on Finance |
Passed |
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| Mar 17, 2026 | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs |
Passed |
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| Mar 5, 2026 | Third Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Feb 19, 2026 | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Ways and Means |
Passed |
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| Jan 30, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
|
Date
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|---|---|---|
| CARES | ** Support | |
| Community Alliance on Prisons | *** Support | Apr 2, 2026 |
| Earthjustice | *** Support | Apr 2, 2026 |
| Hawaiʻi Supreme Court (ret.) | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| HCRC | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142 | ** Support | |
| League of Women Voters of Hawaii | ** Support | |
| Office of the Public Defender | *** Support | Apr 2, 2026 |
| Pride at Work – Hawai‘i | *** Support | Apr 2, 2026 |
| State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers | ** Support | |
| The Judiciary, State of Hawai‘i | *** Support | Apr 2, 2026 |
| United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO | *** Support | Apr 2, 2026 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2710
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 2152
S.D. 2
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2152, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI, SECTION 3, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO INCREASE THE MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE FOR STATE JUSTICES AND JUDGES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to propose an amendment to the Hawaii State Constitution to increase the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges from seventy to seventy-five years of age.
Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Judiciary; United Public Workers AFSCME Local 646, AIL-CIO; Earthjustice; and one individual.
Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.
Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the American Judicature Society.
Your Committee finds that the current constitutionally mandated retirement age of seventy forces many qualified judges and justices to retire in spite of their demonstrated ability to perform their duties. Your Committee believes that it is appropriate for the State to follow the example of the majority of other states, which allow judges to remain on the bench past the age of seventy, so that the State may continue to benefit from the extensive experience of these dedicated public servants.
Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2152, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2152, S.D. 2.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,
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________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2154
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 2152
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2152 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI, SECTION 3, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO INCREASE THE MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE FOR STATE JUSTICES AND JUDGES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to propose a constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges from seventy to seventy-five years of age.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary; Office of the Public Defender; Earthjustice; State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers; United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO; League of Women Voters of Hawaii; International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142; Community Alliance on Prisons; CARES; and eight individuals.
Your Committee received comments on this measure from the American Judicature Society.
Your Committee finds that many judges and justices are forced to retire at the age of seventy as a result of the mandatory retirement age for state judges and justices, despite still being able to perform their judicial duties. Additionally, many judges and justices continue to be active in the legal community and other community-based endeavors after their retirement. Your Committee also finds that many judges have grown into their positions over many years on the bench and bring sound judgment, courtroom efficiency, institutional knowledge, and the ability to manage complex legal and human issues with wisdom and restraint. Your Committee notes that the majority of states allow judges to serve past the age of seventy. This measure will ensure that the State does not lose competent and experienced judges merely because of their age.
Your Committee has amended this measure by making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2152, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2152, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,
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________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Apr 2, 2026 | SB2152_HD1_TESTIMONY_FIN_04-02-26_.PDF |
| Mar 17, 2026 | SB2152_SD2_TESTIMONY_JHA_03-17-26_.PDF |
| Feb 19, 2026 | SB2152_SD1_TESTIMONY_WAM_02-19-26_.PDF |
| Feb 2, 2026 | SB2152_TESTIMONY_JDC_01-30-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
55SEC
Conference Committee
46SEC
Conference Committee
42SEC
Conference Committee
1MIN
Conference Committee
1MIN
Conference Committee
56SEC
Conference Committee
11MIN
House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
33SEC
House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Bill Author
