STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1005

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1167

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1167, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO PROTECT INDIVIDUAL REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to propose an amendment to the Hawaii State Constitution to protect an individual's reproductive freedom in their most intimate decisions, including the right to abortion and contraceptives.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Imua Alliance, Education Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Save Medicaid Hawaii, and nine individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Family Forum, Hawaii Catholic Conference, Hawaii Women Lawyers, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that the constitutional amendment proposed in this measure will serve as a strong reaffirmation of the express right to privacy already guaranteed in the Hawaii State Constitution.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1167, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair