Report Title:

Judiciary; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds for construction of a second building to house the First Circuit Court.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	171
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
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.  The legislature finds that, despite the removal of family court, Kaahumanu Hale is too small to accommodate the first circuit court.  Although remedial measures have been explored, such as conducting trials in district court courtrooms in Honolulu and Kaneohe, these approaches have proven to be inefficient and often isolate judges and court staff.  Other methods to relieve overcrowding, such as strongly encouraging parties to settle cases prior to trial, may thwart the overall mission of the court system.

     The legislature finds that a second first judicial circuit court building is needed in downtown Honolulu, and ideally, this court annex would be located adjacent to the present court building.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the planning, acquisition of property, design, and construction of a second court building in downtown Honolulu to house the first judicial circuit courts.

     SECTION 2.  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 2007-2008, for the planning, acquisition of property, design, and construction of a second court building in downtown Honolulu to house the first judicial circuit courts.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:

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