STAND. COM. REP. NO. 54

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 485

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 485 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 and intent of this measure is to establish one additional judgeship in the District Court of 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 one individual.

Your Committee finds that at the outset of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the Judiciary quickly implemented remote hearings in order to continue providing vital services and ensuring litigants still had the opportunity to be heard. However, the District Court of the First Circuit found that remote and hybrid proceedings require additional resources and take longer than in-person proceedings. Over time, longer court sessions mean that fewer hearings can be scheduled per session. If left unaddressed, this could result in case backlogs.

Your Committee further finds that many of the cases that come before the District Court have become more complex, involving interdisciplinary issues that are reflected in the community. This measure will add an additional judge to the District Court of the First Circuit, which will provide the District Court with the ability to better manage court dockets, be more responsive to the needs of the community, increase capacity in the rural courts, and develop and expand 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. 485 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,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair