Report Title:

Circuit Court; Second Circuit; Molokai

Description:

Establishes funds for a position for a fifth judge in the second judicial circuit court.  Requires circuit court sessions in Kaunakakai when one party is a Molokai resident.  Appropriates funds.  (HB2383 HD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2383
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CIRCUIT COURTS.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 603-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§603-4  Other circuits; judges.  The circuit court of the fifth circuit shall consist of two judges, who shall be styled as first and second judge, and each as a judge of the circuit court of the fifth circuit.  The circuit court of the second circuit shall consist of [four] five judges, who shall be styled as first, second, third, [and] fourth, and fifth judge, and each as a judge of the circuit court of the second circuit.  The circuit court of the third circuit shall consist of four judges, who shall be styled as first, second, third, and fourth judge, and each as a judge of the circuit court of the third circuit."

SECTION 2.  Section 603-12, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§603-12  Sessions, held where.  Except as otherwise provided by statute, the sessions of the circuit courts shall be held as follows:  In the first circuit, at Honolulu; in the second circuit, at Wailuku; provided that sessions shall be held in Kaunakakai when one party is a resident of Maui and the other party is a resident of Molokai and the party who is a resident of Molokai requests proceedings on Molokai; in the third circuit, at Hilo and Kona; in the fifth circuit, at Lihue."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $        or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 to establish the position of a fifth judge of the circuit court of the second circuit who shall hold sessions in Wailuku and Kaunakakai and to provide for the rental or purchase of an accessible location in Kaunakakai in which to hold sessions of the second judicial circuit court as necessary.

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

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.