STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3260

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2032

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2032 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RENTAL DISCRIMINATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit discrimination, including in advertisements for available real property, based on participation in a housing assistance program, or requirements related to participation in housing assistance programs, in real estate transactions and requirements.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Parents and Children Together, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Association of REALTORS.

 

     Your Committee finds that low-income individuals who participate in housing assistance programs experience extreme difficulty in finding affordable rentals in the State and are often faced with discrimination based on their source of income.  Your Committee further finds that there have been numerous cases of housing vacancy requirements proclaiming that they do not accept section 8 housing voucher recipients as potential tenants.  Your Committee notes that existing state law is silent in regard to prohibiting housing discrimination based on lawful sources of income, including the use of housing vouchers, whereas twelve states and the District of Colombia explicitly prohibit this kind of discrimination.  This measure will address a key barrier to housing for many low-income and homeless individuals and families by prohibiting discrimination against any individual based on their source of income.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of June 18, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2032, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2032, S.D. 1.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair