STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2710

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2152

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2152, S.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 an amendment to the Hawaii State Constitution to increase the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges from seventy to seventy-five years of age.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Judiciary; United Public Workers AFSCME Local 646, AIL-CIO; Earthjustice; and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the American Judicature Society.

Your Committee finds that the current constitutionally mandated retirement age of seventy forces many qualified judges and justices to retire in spite of their demonstrated ability to perform their duties. Your Committee believes that it is appropriate for the State to follow the example of the majority of other states, which allow judges to remain on the bench past the age of seventy, so that the State may continue to benefit from the extensive experience of these dedicated public servants.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2152, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2152, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair