SB 2446: Intermediate Court of Appeals; Membership

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?

Raises the number of associate judges on Hawaii’s Intermediate Court of Appeals from six to seven, creating one additional judge position. The bill changes the state law that defines how the court is made up.

Version:

Increases the number of associate judges on the Intermediate Court of Appeals from six to seven. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Version:

SB2446 HD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2446
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

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

SECTION 1. Section 602-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§602-51 How constituted. The intermediate appellate court shall consist of a chief judge and [~~six~~] seven associate judges. The chief judge, who shall be specifically selected, shall supervise the administrative duties of the court."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Intermediate Court of Appeals; Membership

Description:

Increases the number of associate judges on the Intermediate Court of Appeals from six to seven. 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.

SB2446

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2446
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

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

SECTION 1. Section 602-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $494,814 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the judiciary for an additional intermediate appellate court associate judge, which shall be allocated as follows:

(1) $231,276 for the establishment of one permanent full‑time equivalent (1.0 FTE) intermediate appellate court associate judge position;

(2) $86,688 for the establishment of one permanent full‑time equivalent (1.0 FTE) judicial assistant position;

(3) $134,400 for the establishment of two permanent full‑time equivalent (2.0 FTE) law clerk positions; and

(4) $42,450 for equipment, books, and furniture for the new associate judge's chambers.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the judiciary for the purposes of this Act.

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

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Intermediate Court of Appeals; Membership; Appropriation

Description:

Increases the number of associate judges on the Intermediate Court of Appeals from six to seven. Appropriates funds.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

Date	Status
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	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 scheduled for 04-23-26 2:35PM; Conference Room 325.
Apr 21, 2026	Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 800).
Apr 21, 2026	House Conferees Appointed: Tarnas, Hartsfield Co-Chairs; Poepoe, Garcia.
Apr 20, 2026	Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 714).
Apr 20, 2026	Senate Conferees Appointed: Rhoads Chair; Kim Co-Chair; Awa.
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. 661).
Apr 14, 2026	Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick voting no (2) 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. 2077-26), 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; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Matsumoto, Perruso excused (2).
Mar 25, 2026	Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1417-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
Mar 19, 2026	The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Hashem, Kahaloa, Takayama, Cochran, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Sayama.
Mar 17, 2026	Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Thursday, 03-19-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
Mar 10, 2026	Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 15
Mar 5, 2026	Pass First Reading
Feb 25, 2026	Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 17) in amended form (SD 2).
Feb 25, 2026	Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Kidani). Transmitted to House.
Feb 23, 2026	48 Hrs. Notice 02-25-26.
Feb 23, 2026	Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2703) 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. 2204) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
Feb 6, 2026	The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
Feb 2, 2026	The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
Jan 28, 2026	Referred to JDC, WAM.
Jan 22, 2026	Passed First Reading.
Jan 22, 2026	Introduced.

Date	Description	Location	Votes
Apr 14, 2026	Third Reading	House Floor	49 2 1 Passed
Apr 7, 2026	The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED	House Standing Committee on Finance	15 0 1 Passed
Mar 19, 2026	The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs	8 0 2 Passed
Feb 25, 2026	Third Reading	Senate Floor	24 0 1 Passed
Feb 19, 2026	The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	Senate Standing Committee on Ways and Means	11 0 2 Passed
Feb 6, 2026	The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary	5 0 0 Passed

Key

Pro

Against

Did Not Vote

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.

* Testimony in a hearing

** Position recorded in bill analysis

*** Position recorded in written testimony

Organization	Position	Date
Community Alliance on Prisons	*** Support	Apr 2, 2026
Judiciary	** Against
Office of the Public Defender	** Support

* Testimony in a hearing

** Position recorded in bill analysis

*** Position recorded in written testimony

SSCR2703 Jill M. Tsuchitori SSCR Ainoa Naniole 2 10 2011-01-28T03:25:00Z 2026-02-21T01:25:00Z 2026-02-21T01:25:00Z 2 255 1274 House of Representatives 22012 62 21 1520 16.00 Print 110 0 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2703

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2446

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. 2446, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the number of associate judges on the Intermediate Court of Appeals from six to seven.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Judiciary and Office of the Public Defender.

Your Committee finds that the Intermediate Court of Appeals has made progress at reducing the number of open cases but still faces a significant backlog. Providing the Intermediate Court of Appeals with an additional associate judge will expedite case handling and help ensure the timely administration of justice.

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. 2446, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2446, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

SSCR2204 Noah Holck SSCR Ainoa Naniole 2 26 2026-02-11T02:18:00Z 2026-02-11T03:47:00Z 2026-02-11T03:47:00Z 2 347 1851 House of Representatives 21743 82 27 2195 16.00 Print 0 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2204

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2446

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. 2446 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Increase the number of associate judges on the Intermediate Court of Appeals from six to seven; and

(2) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Public Defender.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Judiciary and one individual.

Your Committee finds that establishing an additional associate judge to serve on the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals will yield faster resolutions of appeals in criminal cases. This measure will reduce the case backlog of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals which will reduce delays for defendants awaiting a decision.

Your Committee notes that according to the testimony of the Judiciary, in Fiscal Year 2024-2025, the Intermediate Court of Appeals disposed of five hundred ninety-nine cases while five hundred ninety three cases were filed. While your Committee recognizes this achievement, it believes that the Intermediate Court of Appeals should aim to resolve appellate cases within one year from filing.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that would have appropriated funds for an additional Intermediate Appellate Court associate judge; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments 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. 2446, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2446, 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,

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair

Date	Testimony PDF
Apr 2, 2026	SB2446_HD1_TESTIMONY_FIN_04-02-26_.PDF
Mar 19, 2026	SB2446_SD2_TESTIMONY_JHA_03-19-26_.PDF
Feb 19, 2026	SB2446_SD1_TESTIMONY_WAM_02-19-26_.PDF
Feb 6, 2026	SB2446_TESTIMONY_JDC_02-06-26_.PDF

Discussed in Hearing

24SEC

Authors shown for version:
SB2446_HD1 (3/24/2026)

SB 2446: Intermediate Court of Appeals; Membership

Current Status:

What does this bill do?

Conference Committee

Conference Committee

Conference Committee

Conference Committee

Conference Committee

Conference Committee

Conference Committee

House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs