STAND. COM. REP. NO. 847

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 276

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 276, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO JUDGES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to change the number of judges of the district court of the second circuit from three to four judges.

     In addition, this measure makes housekeeping amendments to laws relating to the composition of judges of the circuit courts, district courts, and family courts.

     Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii State Judiciary and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the laws relating to the composition of judges of the circuit courts, district courts, and family courts are outdated and require housekeeping amendments.  Your Committee also finds that the second circuit could benefit from an additional judge for the district court.

     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. 276, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair