HI SB615

Proposes constitutional amendment to Article VI, Section 3 of Hawaii Constitution requiring written notice of judicial appointments be provided to the Senate concurrently with the appointment by the governor, chief justice, or judicial selection commission.

Clarifies that the Senate's 30-day period to reject a judicial appointment begins upon receipt of written notice of the appointment, not from any prior announcement or news conference.

Applies to appointments for vacancies in the offices of chief justice, supreme court, intermediate appellate court, circuit courts, and district courts.

Addresses 2012 incident where governor's judicial appointment was deemed valid based on news conference announcement five days before formal submission to Senate, despite being submitted two days after the constitutional 30-day deadline.

Ballot question asks voters whether Senate should receive written concurrent notice of appointments and have 30 days from receipt of that notice to reject or consent to judicial appointments.