STAND. COM. REP. NO. 690

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 157

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 157 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LICENSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of a civil license to solemnize marriage and allow solemnization by any individual at least eighteen years of age.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that, although marriage in the United States is a civil institution and the right to marry belongs to citizens without regard to their moral beliefs or religious creed, officiants ordained by a religious denomination or society are the only ones besides justices, judges, and magistrates who are authorized to officiate a wedding. Your Committee further finds that while those with a religious affiliation may have a trusted pastor or minister officiate their wedding, those without religious affiliation are legally unable to have a trusted friend or mentor as an officiant. This measure will increase fairness and parity by authorizing those not affiliated with a religion to solemnize marriages.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 157 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair