STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3468

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  S.C.R. No. 116
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred
S.C.R. No. 116, S.D. 1, entitled:

     "SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE JUDICIARY TO
     PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN THE JUDICIARY THROUGH RECOGNITION OF
     EXCELLENCE, REVIEW OF JUDICIAL PERFORMANCE, AND PUBLIC
     EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to encourage
more openness in judicial evaluations and more public confidence
in the quality of our judges and justices.

     At present, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court conducts
evaluations of sitting judges, but that does not include the rest
of the Supreme Court Justices and the judges of the Intermediate
Court of Appeals.  The present evaluations should continue, and
evaluations for these other justices should be added to assist
them in their professional growth.  The evaluation process at
present is entirely confidential, but it should be made more open
by including evaluation by a panel of qualified persons,
including former judges and members of the public.  An education
program for the public on the evaluation process is necessary for
confidence by the public in the Judiciary.


 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3468
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     Additionally, the Judiciary is requested to provide
opportunities for public recognition of excellent judges and
justices.  Too often negative comments are the only ones heard,
and again, it will improve public confidence in the judicial
system if the positive is also heard.  Your Committee finds that
the steps requested in this concurrent resolution will help
improve the quality of judges and justices in the State and build
an increasing level of public confidence in the system. 

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 116,
S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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



                                 ________________________________
                                 CAROL FUKUNAGA, Co-Chair



                                 ________________________________
                                 ANDREW LEVIN, Co-Chair

 
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