STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1277

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 485

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 485, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO JUDGES FOR THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE FIRST CIRCUIT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii State Bar Association, and Collection Law Section of the Hawaii State Bar Association.

Your Committee finds that the population and issues facing the City and County of Honolulu have significantly increased since the last District Court judge was authorized over forty years ago. Authorizing an additional District Court judge will allow the District Court to better manage court dockets, be more responsive to the needs of the community, increase capacity in the rural courts, and develop or expand specialized court calendars.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 485, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair