SB 266: RELATING TO DISTRICT COURT JUDGES.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to District Court Judges.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 604-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§604-1  Judicial circuits; district judges; sessions.  [[](a)[]]  There shall be established in each of the judicial circuits of the State a district court with the powers and under the conditions herein set forth, which shall be styled as follows:

     (1)  For the First Judicial Circuit:  The District Court of the First Circuit.

     (2)  For the Second Judicial Circuit:  The District Court of the Second Circuit.

     (3)  For the Third Judicial Circuit:  The District Court of the Third Circuit.

     (4)  For the Fifth Judicial Circuit:  The District Court of the Fifth Circuit.

     [[](b)[]]  There shall be appointed one or more district judges for each judicial circuit.  The district court of the first circuit shall consist of [fourteen] fifteen judges, who shall be styled as first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, [and] fourteenth, and fifteenth judge, respectively.  One of the district judges shall hear landlord-tenant and small claims matters, provided that when in the discretion of the chief justice of the supreme court the urgency or volume of cases so requires, the chief justice may authorize the judge to substitute for or act in addition to or otherwise in place of any other district judge of the district court of the first circuit.  The district court of the second circuit shall consist of three judges, who shall be styled as first, second, and third judge, respectively.  The district court of the third circuit shall consist of three judges, who shall be styled as first, second, and third judge, respectively.  The district court of the fifth circuit shall consist of two judges who shall be styled as first and second judge, respectively.  The chief justice may designate a judge in each circuit as the administrative judge for the circuit.

     [[](c)[]]  The district courts shall hold sessions at such places in their respective circuits and as often as the respective district judges deem essential to the promotion of justice."

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  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Judiciary Package; District Court Judges; First Circuit

Description:

Establishes 1 additional district court judgeship in the First Circuit.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 65

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 266

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 266 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DISTRICT COURT JUDGES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish one additional district court judgeship in the First Circuit.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Office of the Public Defender, one member of the Kauaʻi County Council, Hawaii State Bar Association, Collection Law Section of the Hawaii State Bar Association, and Hawaii Financial Services Association.

     Your Committee finds that it has been more than forty years since the last district court judge was authorized in 1982.  Since then, there has been a significant increase in the population of the City and County of Honolulu.  Your Committee also finds that to address specific issues in the community, such as the prevalence of those who experience mental illness or substance use disorders becoming involved in the justice system, the Judiciary has created specialized dockets including a mental health calendar, driving while intoxicated court program, and the Community Outreach Court.  However, these types of cases take longer to resolve, require numerous hearings, and additional time and resources to assess competency to stand trial and other needs, such as referral to treatment services when appropriate.  This measure will enable the district court to better manage court dockets and be more responsive to the needs of the community while also increasing capacity in rural courts and developing and expanding specialized court calendars.

     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. 266 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,