STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1749-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2503

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2503, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EQUITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require each new place of public accommodation and state building construction constructed after July 31, 2025, to provide at least one universal changing accommodation on each floor containing public restrooms; and

(2) Beginning July 1, 2025, where feasible and cost effective, require bids for state building construction projects to include universal changing accommodations.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; Hawaiʻi Family Caregiver Coalition; Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Rainbow Family 808; Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii; and eight individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; and Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2503, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair