STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3565

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 9

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Judiciary, to which was referred S.R. No. 9 entitled:

"SENATE 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,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request 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.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus Commission; Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; Rainbow Family 808; American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Education Caucus; Imua Alliance; Pride at Work-Hawaiʻi; Haʻaheo, ʻOhana, Kaulike, Ui Political Action Committee; Hawaiʻi Women Lawyers; and two individuals.

Your Committees find that federal law still does not expressly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in a variety of contexts, including public accommodations and facilities, education, federally funded programs, employment, housing, credit, and jury service. There has been no legislative movement on amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to address discrimination and inequality, leaving a lack of uniform equal protection guarantees nationwide. This measure reflects the State's long-standing commitment to equality, fairness, and civil rights.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 9 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Judiciary,

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair