STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2112-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.C.R. No. 162

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 162 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO ORDER EXECUTIVE AGENCIES TO REVIEW AND REVISE THEIR POLICIES AND RULES TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION IN RENTAL TRANSACTIONS AND ADVERTISEMENTS FOR RENTAL TRANSACTIONS BASED ON SOURCE OF INCOME OR PARTICIPATION IN HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Governor to order all executive agencies to review their policies and rules and make any revisions necessary to prohibit discrimination in rental transactions and advertisements for rental transactions based on source of income or participation in housing assistance programs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission, Office of Housing and Community Development of the County of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Health & Harm Reduction Center, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that studies have shown that when there are policies that prevent discrimination against renters with housing assistance vouchers, renters are more likely to find housing. Your Committee also finds that the federal Fair Housing Act does not prohibit source of income discrimination; however, states and localities have passed laws that prohibit housing discrimination on the basis of source of income. Your Committee further finds that strong source of income discrimination protections can address a key barrier to housing for many low-income and homeless individuals and families throughout the State, such as former foster youth, single mothers with minor children, veterans, individuals fleeing domestic violence, and the elderly.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 162, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 162, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

NADINE K. NAKAMURA, Chair