HI
Hawaii Senate Bill SB992

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SB992

Introduced
1/20/23  
Refer
1/27/23  
Introduced
1/20/23  
Report Pass
2/9/23  
Refer
1/27/23  
Report Pass
2/9/23  
Report Pass
3/3/23  
Refer
2/9/23  
Engrossed
3/7/23  
Report Pass
3/3/23  
Refer
3/9/23  
Engrossed
3/7/23  
Enrolled
3/13/23  
Refer
3/9/23  

Caption

Proposing An Amendment To Article Vi, Section 3, Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Increase The Mandatory Retirement Age For State Justices And Judges.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would directly alter the constitutional requirements governing the tenure of justices and judges in Hawaii. The current provision mandates retirement at age seventy; increasing this threshold is expected to enable seasoned legal minds to continue contributing to the judiciary, possibly enhancing the quality of judicial decisions given their longer experience in legal practices. Additionally, it may also lead to an institutional reluctance to refresh the bench, concentrating experience among a narrower age cohort.

Summary

Senate Bill 992 proposes a significant amendment to Article VI, Section 3 of the Hawaii State Constitution. This amendment aims to increase the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges from the current age of seventy to seventy-five. The bill reflects a growing trend in many jurisdictions to retain experienced judges, allowing them to serve for a longer duration while also seeking to balance the need for fresh perspectives in the judiciary. This amendment is set to take effect on July 1, 2050, should it be adopted.

Contention

The proposal to raise the retirement age has sparked a variety of responses among legislators and the public. Supporters argue that extending the retirement age would allow for greater accumulated wisdom in the judicial system, benefitting the legal community and the general public alike. However, critics contend that allowing judges to serve longer could inhibit the appointment of younger judges, thereby stifling necessary innovation and reform within the judiciary. Balancing experience and the infusion of new ideas remains a contentious topic in the legal discussions surrounding SB992.

Latest SB992 Activity

Companion Bills

HI SB992

Carry Over Proposing An Amendment To Article Vi, Section 3, Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Increase The Mandatory Retirement Age For State Justices And Judges.

Previously Filed As

HI SB992

Proposing An Amendment To Article Vi, Section 3, Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Increase The Mandatory Retirement Age For State Justices And Judges.

HI SB175

Proposing An Amendment To Article Vi, Section 3, Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Increase The Mandatory Retirement Age For State Justices And Judges.

HI HB2509

Proposing An Amendment To Article Vi, Section 3 Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Increase The Mandatory Retirement Age For State Justices And Judges.

HI SB2319

Proposing An Amendment To Article Vi, Section 3, Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Increase The Mandatory Retirement Age For State Justices And Judges.

HI HB1216

Proposing To Amend The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii Regarding State Justices And Judges.

HI SB121

Proposing An Amendment To Article Vi, Section 3, Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Allow The Senate More Time To Confirm Judicial Appointments.

HI SB1074

Proposing Amendments To The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Amend The Manner In Which Justices And Judges Are Appointed, Consented To, And Retained.

HI SB1074

Proposing Amendments To The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Amend The Manner In Which Justices And Judges Are Appointed, Consented To, And Retained.

HI SB2927

Proposing An Amendment To Article Vi, Section 3 Of The Hawaii Constitution To Make The Senate Confirmation Process For Judicial Appointments More Uniform.

HI SB2385

Proposing An Amendment To Article Vi, Section 3 Of The Hawaii Constitution To Place Procedural Restrictions On The Timing Of Judicial Appointments And Confirmations.

Similar Bills

LA HB526

Authorizes the La. Community and Technical Colleges System Board of Supervisors to increase tuition and mandatory fee amounts at institutions under its supervision and management and permits the uniform imposition of tuition and mandatory fee amounts on a per credit hour basis (RE +$5,300,000 SG RV See Note)

LA HB194

Provides relative to the authority of public postsecondary education management boards to increase tuition and mandatory fee amounts (EG INCREASE SG RV See Note)

CA AB703

Public postsecondary education: fee waivers for exonerated persons.

HI SB2319

Proposing An Amendment To Article Vi, Section 3, Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Increase The Mandatory Retirement Age For State Justices And Judges.

HI SB992

Proposing An Amendment To Article Vi, Section 3, Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Increase The Mandatory Retirement Age For State Justices And Judges.

HI SB175

Proposing An Amendment To Article Vi, Section 3, Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Increase The Mandatory Retirement Age For State Justices And Judges.

HI HB2509

Proposing An Amendment To Article Vi, Section 3 Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Increase The Mandatory Retirement Age For State Justices And Judges.

LA HB1078

Provides relative to the authority of public postsecondary education management boards to increase tuition and mandatory fee amounts (OR +$257,600,000 SG RV See Note)