During the 2021 Legislative Session, the Legislature adopted House Concurrent Resolution 5, Senate Draft 1
(HCR 5)1 which established the Joint Committee. HCR 5 focuses its attention on the JSC component of the system.
HCR 5 requests that the Joint Committee work with the JSC and the Judiciary to:
1. Develop clear, written standards for evaluating applicants and petitioners for judicial office;
2. Develop protocols for training new and existing members of the JSC;
3. Streamline the JSC's voting rules;
4. Define the term "deliberations" under Article VI, Section 4 of the Hawai'i Constitution;
5. Create greater transparency as to the JSC's rules and procedures; and
6. Improve recruitment in terms of the quantity and qualifications of applicants.
Pursuant to HCR 5, the Joint Committee was tasked with submitting a report of findings and recommendations,
including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature prior to the 2022 Regular Session.