STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2254-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.C.R. No. 11

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 11 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO AMEND THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND GENDER IDENTITY IN EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, EDUCATION, FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS, CREDIT, AND JURY SERVICE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the United States Congress to pass legislation amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit, and jury service.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus Commission, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Community Alliance on Prisons, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, Hawaii Women Lawyers, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, Pride at Work Hawaii, Hoku Political Action Committee, Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party, and four individuals. Your Committee received testimony with comments on this measure from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. Your Committee received testimony opposing this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 should be amended to further address discrimination and inequality and to advance uniform equal protection guarantees nationwide. Your Committee finds that current federal law does not expressly prohibit discrimination against sexual and gender minorities in a variety of contexts. Your Committee further finds that this measure recognizes and advances the State’s longstanding commitment to equality, fairness, and civil rights.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 11 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair