SR 165 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION TO EXAMINE THE APPLICABILITY OF EXISTING STATE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS TO ALGORITHMIC AND AUTOMATED DECISION SYSTEMS.

This Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to study whether current state anti-discrimination laws cover decisions made by artificial intelligence and automated systems. The Commission would examine if existing rules can properly handle complaints about bias in areas like hiring, housing, and credit checks, and identify any legal or practical challenges in enforcing protections against algorithmic discrimination. The study will also consider whether new guidance or complaint processes are needed to help people understand their rights when facing automated decision-making. The Commission must submit its findings and any recommended laws to the state legislature by early 2027.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 16, 2026 Last action May 12, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Report and Resolution Adopted.
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3535) with recommendation of adoption.
upper
Apr 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
upper
Mar 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 04-02-26 9:45AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Committee
Referred to JDC.
upper
Mar 16, 2026
Introduced
Offered.
upper
3 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors