CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 26

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2021

 

RE:    S.B. No. 157

       H.D. 1

       C.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sirs:

 

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 157, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LICENSING,"

 

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

 

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize the issuance of a civil license to solemnize marriage and allow solemnization by any individual at least eighteen years of age.

 

     Your Committee on Conference finds that officiants ordained by a religious denomination or society are currently the only persons besides justices, judges, and magistrates who are authorized to officiate a wedding in the State.  Your Committee on Conference further finds that the right to marry belongs to all citizens, regardless of their moral beliefs or religious creed.  This measure will allow persons without any religious affiliation to perform the marriage rite.

 

     Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Providing for the issuance of a temporary three-month license upon the request of an applicant;

 

     (2)  Specifying that the fee for a temporary three-month license shall be $25; and

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 157, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 157, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

 

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

 

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

 

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA

Chair

 

____________________________

KARL RHOADS

Chair