HI HCR217

Requests the Dean of the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii to convene a task force to study the social, economic, and religious impacts of enacting marriage equality in Hawaii.

Task force composition includes two legal professionals, two business community members (at least one from tourism), one clergy member, one marriage equality advocate, one economics professor, the Speaker of the House, and the President of the Senate.

Directs the task force to examine whether civil unions provide sufficient rights and benefits, review anticipated U.S. Supreme Court decisions on the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, and analyze economic impacts of passing or failing to pass marriage equality legislation.

Requires the task force to review how marriage equality was enacted in Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia to determine if Hawaii should follow those models.

Task force must submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature by November 1, 2013.