THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

276

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO JUDGES.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  Section 571-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  [In addition to the district courts established under section 604-1, there may be established] The chief justice of the supreme court may establish in each of the judicial circuits of the State a district family court with the powers and under the conditions herein set forth which shall be styled as follows:

     (1)  For the first judicial circuit:  The district family court of the first circuit.

     (2)  For the second judicial circuit:  The district family court of the second circuit.

     (3)  For the third judicial circuit:  The district family court of the third circuit.

     (4)  For the fifth judicial circuit:  The district family court of the fifth circuit."

     SECTION 2.  Section 603-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§603-3  First circuit court judges.  [Effective July 1, 1992, the] The circuit court of the first circuit shall consist of twenty-five judges, [who shall be styled as first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, twentieth, twenty-first, twenty-second, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, and twenty-fifth judge, respectively.] each of whom shall be styled as a judge of the circuit court of the first circuit."

     SECTION 3.  Section 603-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§603-4  Other circuits; judges.  The circuit court of the fifth circuit shall consist of two judges, [who shall be styled as first and second judge, and] each of whom shall be styled as a judge of the circuit court of the fifth circuit.  The circuit court of the second circuit shall consist of four judges, [who shall be styled as first, second, third, and fourth judge, and] each of whom shall be styled as a judge of the circuit court of the second circuit.  The circuit court of the third circuit shall consist of four judges, [who shall be styled as first, second, third, and fourth judge, and] each of whom shall be styled as a judge of the circuit court of the third circuit."

     SECTION 4.  Section 604-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "[[](b)[]]  There shall be appointed one or more district judges for each judicial circuit.  The district court of the first circuit shall consist of fourteen judges[, who shall be styled as first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth judge, respectively].  One of the district judges shall hear landlord-tenant and small claims matters[,]; provided that when in the discretion of the chief justice of the supreme court the urgency or volume of cases so requires, the chief justice may authorize the judge to substitute for or act in addition to or otherwise in place of any other district judge of the district court of the first circuit.  The district court of the second circuit shall consist of [three] four judges[, who shall be styled as first, second, and third judge, respectively].  The district court of the third circuit shall consist of three judges[, who shall be styled as first, second, and third judge, respectively].  The district court of the fifth circuit shall consist of two judges [who shall be styled as first and second judge, respectively].  The chief justice may designate a judge in each circuit as the administrative judge for the circuit."

     SECTION 5.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

 

 

Report Title:

Courts; Judges; Circuit Court; District Court; Family Court

 

Description:

Authorizes the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to establish district family courts.  Increases the number of judges of the District Court of the Second Circuit from three to four judges.  Makes housekeeping amendments to laws relating to the composition of judges of the circuit courts, district courts, and family courts.  (SB276 HD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.