STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2171

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2927

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2927 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI, SECTION 3 OF THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION TO MAKE THE SENATE CONFIRMATION PROCESS FOR JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS MORE UNIFORM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to propose an amendment to the Hawaii State Constitution to make the Senate confirmation process for judicial appointments the same, whether the appointment is made by the Governor or the Chief Justice.

Your Committee received no testimony on this measure.

Your Committee finds that the existing Senate confirmation process for judicial appointments differs if the appointment is made by the Governor or the Chief Justice. This measure will reduce confusion and provide clarity for the judicial appointment process by making the process uniform, regardless of whether the appointment is made by the Governor or the Chief Justice.

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. 2927 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