STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3655

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2037

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2037, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, PLUS COMMISSION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for the Hawaii state lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus (LGBTQ+) commission.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission, LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Pride at Work - Hawai‘i, Common Cause Hawaii, Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, Lamdba Law Student Association, GLSEN Hawai‘i, Rainbow Family 808, and sixteen individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Your Committees find that the LGBTQ+ community contends with various forms of systemic discrimination and persistent socioeconomic and health disadvantages not reflective of Hawaii's cultural history and traditional values. These conditions may be exacerbated by social and economic pressure such as employment discrimination or lack of family support. Your Committees further find that establishing a program to address, reduce, and remedy these disadvantages is appropriate to best serve our LGBTQ+ community.

Your Committees note that the amount of funds appropriated has not been specified. The Department of Human Services has expressed that with regard to amounts appropriated, the following items should be included:

(1) One full time equivalent(1.0 FTE) executive director position;

(2) An operational budget; and

(3) Provisions for office space and associated technical and administrative systems.

Your Committees have heard the concerns of the Department of Human Services and Attorney General that the language in this measure, as drafted, is inconsistent with respect to the number of voting members appointed by the Governor.

Accordingly, your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that there are seven members; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2037, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2037, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Judiciary,

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

________________________________ RUSSELL E. RUDERMAN, Chair