HI SR123

Requests the Dean of the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa 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 (including one from tourism), one clergy member, one marriage equality advocate, one economics professor, the Speaker of the House, and the President of the Senate.

Task force must examine whether civil unions provide sufficient rights and benefits, review impacts of pending U.S. Supreme Court decisions on the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, and analyze economic impacts of marriage equality legislation.

Task force shall 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 Hawaii should follow those jurisdictions.

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