HI SCR166

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

Task force composition includes two legal professionals, two business members (including tourism industry representative), one clergy member, one marriage equality advocacy representative, one economics professor from UH Manoa, the Speaker of the House, and the President of the Senate.

Task force must examine whether civil unions provide sufficient rights and benefits, review the impact of anticipated U.S. Supreme Court decisions in Windsor v. United States and Hollingsworth v. Perry, and assess economic impacts of passing or rejecting marriage equality legislation.

Task force must review experiences with marriage equality in Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia to determine if improvements could be made in Hawaii's approach.

Task force must submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than November 1, 2013.