STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3111

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2509

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

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 H.B. No. 2509, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI, SECTION 3 OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO INCREASE THE MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE FOR STATE JUSTICES AND JUDGES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to propose a constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory retirement age for state justices and judges from seventy years to seventy-five years.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Paroling Authority, Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, Community Alliance on Prisons, and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that in recent years a number of judges and justices have been forced to retire at age seventy, despite being competent, contributing members of the Judiciary. Additionally, many retired judges and justices continue to be active in the legal community. Your Committee believes that older judges and justices bring invaluable experience and knowledge to the bench. This measure will ensure retention of experienced and qualified judges and maintain stability within the State's courts.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making it effective upon compliance with article XVII, section 3, of the Hawaii State Constitution.

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 H.B. No. 2509, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2509, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, 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