HB 275 Summary

• Proposes a constitutional amendment to Article VI, Section 3 of the Hawaii Constitution to authorize the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court to appoint retired judges and justices as emeritus judges.

• Permits emeritus judges to serve as temporary judges in courts no higher than the court level they held before retirement, with terms limited to a maximum of three months per appointment.

• Adds a new provision allowing the Chief Justice to make these emeritus appointments without requiring senate consent, unlike other judicial appointment procedures.

• Requires voter approval through a ballot question asking whether the Chief Justice should be permitted to appoint retired judges as emeritus judges under the specified conditions.

• Takes effect upon compliance with Article XVII, Section 3 of the Hawaii Constitution, which governs the constitutional amendment process.