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GM 1334

Informing the Legislature that on June 26, 2025, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB401 HD1 SD2 CD1 (ACT 232).

2025 Regular Session

Act 232 restructures Hawaii's district court judges, appointing specific numbers per circuit, enhancing case management, and designating administrative judges for efficiency.

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Bill Summary · GM 1334

Summary of GM 1334: Informing the Legislature of Act 232

Bill Information:
- Bill Number: GM 1334
- Title: Informing the Legislature that on June 26, 2025, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB401 HD1 SD2 CD1 (ACT 232).
- Status: Received
- Introduced: June 26, 2025
- Classification: Proclamation
- Subject: Act 232

Purpose and Intent

GM 1334 serves as a formal notification to the Hawaii State Legislature that the Governor, Josh Green, M.D., has signed into law House Bill 401 (HB401), which is now designated as Act 232. The primary intent of this legislation is to amend the structure and appointment process of district court judges in the State of Hawaii.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of Act 232 include:

  1. Appointment of District Judges:

    • The bill specifies the number of district judges to be appointed for each judicial circuit in Hawaii.
    • For the First Circuit, there will be a total of 14 judges.
    • The Second Circuit will consist of 3 judges.
    • The Third Circuit will have 4 judges.
    • The Fifth Circuit will have 2 judges.
    • The Sixth and Seventh Circuits will each have 3 judges.

  2. Administrative Judge Designation:

    • The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is granted the authority to designate one judge in each circuit as the administrative judge for that circuit.

  3. Hearing Responsibilities:

    • One of the district judges in the First Circuit will be responsible for hearing landlord-tenant and small claims matters.
    • The Chief Justice may authorize this judge to substitute for or act in place of any other district judge when necessary due to case volume or urgency.

  4. Effective Date:

    • The Act is effective immediately upon approval, which occurred on June 26, 2025.

Impact

The enactment of Act 232 will affect the judicial structure in Hawaii by:
- Clarifying the number of judges in each circuit, which may help in managing case loads more effectively.
- Providing flexibility in judicial assignments, allowing for better resource allocation based on case urgency and volume.
- Enhancing the administrative functions within the district courts by designating administrative judges.

Procedural Aspects

  • Date of Approval: June 26, 2025
  • The bill was certified by both the House of Representatives and the Senate on April 30, 2025, before being signed into law by the Governor.

This summary provides an overview of GM 1334 and Act 232, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and potential impact on the judicial system in Hawaii.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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