STAND. COM. REP. NO. 65

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 266

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 266 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DISTRICT COURT JUDGES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Office of the Public Defender, one member of the Kauaʻi County Council, Hawaii State Bar Association, Collection Law Section of the Hawaii State Bar Association, and Hawaii Financial Services Association.

Your Committee finds that it has been more than forty years since the last district court judge was authorized in 1982. Since then, there has been a significant increase in the population of the City and County of Honolulu. Your Committee also finds that to address specific issues in the community, such as the prevalence of those who experience mental illness or substance use disorders becoming involved in the justice system, the Judiciary has created specialized dockets including a mental health calendar, driving while intoxicated court program, and the Community Outreach Court. However, these types of cases take longer to resolve, require numerous hearings, and additional time and resources to assess competency to stand trial and other needs, such as referral to treatment services when appropriate. This measure will enable the district court to better manage court dockets and be more responsive to the needs of the community while also increasing capacity in rural courts and developing and expanding specialized court calendars.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 266 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair