STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1417-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2446

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2446, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the number of associate judges on the Intermediate Court of Appeals from six to seven.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary and Community Alliance on Prisons. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of the Public Defender.

Your Committee finds that the Intermediate Court of Appeals continues to experience a growing caseload that requires timely review to preserve the efficient administration of justice. Your Committee further finds that increasing the number of associate judges from six to seven will enhance the court's capacity to manage its workload and reduce delays in appellate decisions. This measure helps ensure that the Judiciary can meet the State's ongoing needs for fair and efficient appellate review.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2446, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2446, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair