HB2191 Summary

• Restructures Hawaii's appellate system to require most appeals be filed directly with the Supreme Court instead of the Intermediate Appellate Court, reversing a 2006 change in jurisdiction.

• Establishes criteria for the Chief Justice to assign cases between courts, including consideration of first impression questions, constitutional issues, statutory validity challenges, inconsistent precedent, and life imprisonment sentences.

• Grants the Supreme Court concurrent jurisdiction with the Intermediate Appellate Court on all matters, with the Chief Justice assigning cases within 20 days of the final filing deadline.

• Authorizes the Supreme Court to reassign cases to itself from the Intermediate Appellate Court when issues involve imperative or fundamental public importance.

• Takes effect July 1, 2050, and applies to appeals filed on or after that date.