Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SCR184

Introduced
3/16/26  
Refer
3/19/26  
Report Pass
4/8/26  
Engrossed
4/9/26  
Refer
4/10/26  
Report Pass
4/20/26  
Refer
4/20/26  
Report Pass
4/24/26  

Caption

Requesting The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission To Examine The Applicability Of Existing State Anti-discrimination Laws To Algorithmic And Automated Decision Systems.

Summary

SCR184 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission to study how existing Hawaii anti-discrimination laws apply to algorithmic and automated decision systems, including artificial intelligence tools. The resolution focuses on systems used in employment screening, tenant selection, credit decisions, and public benefits eligibility, where automated tools may affect protected classes and civil rights outcomes. The resolution asks the Commission to assess whether current law already gives it enough authority to investigate and remedy algorithmic discrimination, identify jurisdictional and evidentiary problems, consider whether guidance or rulemaking would help regulated entities and the public, and evaluate whether a complaint or intake process should be created for these claims. It also directs the Commission to recommend any needed legislation and report back to the Legislature before the 2027 Regular Session.

Impact

SCR184 does not directly amend Hawaii statutes or create new legal duties. Instead, it initiates an administrative review by the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission of whether existing civil rights and anti-discrimination laws are sufficient to address discrimination caused by automated decision-making, and whether legislative or regulatory changes may be needed. If the Commission’s report leads to follow-up legislation, the resolution could influence future enforcement authority, complaint procedures, and civil rights protections related to AI and other automated systems.

Sentiment

The available legislative history suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the resolution. It passed the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously and without amendment, indicating broad support for studying the issue rather than immediately changing the law. The resolution’s framing around fairness, equal protection, and keeping civil rights protections current with technology likely contributed to the positive reception.

Contention

There is little evidence of direct opposition in the available record, but the resolution itself identifies the main areas of concern: whether existing law clearly covers algorithmic discrimination, and whether such claims pose novel jurisdictional, evidentiary, or enforcement challenges. Potential points of contention in any later legislation could include how to define algorithmic or automated decision systems, how much disclosure or oversight should be required of private entities, and whether the Commission should receive new complaint-handling or rulemaking authority.

Companion Bills

HI HCR192

Same As Requesting The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission To Examine The Applicability Of Existing State Anti-discrimination Laws To Algorithmic And Automated Decision Systems.

HI SR165

Same As Requesting The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission To Examine The Applicability Of Existing State Anti-discrimination Laws To Algorithmic And Automated Decision Systems.

Previously Filed As

HI SCR161

Requesting The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs To Convene A Working Group To Examine And Consider The Transfer Of Native Hawaiian Burial Site Management Under Chapter 6e, Hawaii Revised Statutes, From The State Historic Preservation Division To The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs.

HI SB59

Relating To Algorithmic Discrimination.

HI SR130

Requesting The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs To Convene A Working Group To Examine And Consider The Transfer Of Native Hawaiian Burial Site Management Under Chapter 6e, Hawaii Revised Statutes, From The State Historic Preservation Division To The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs.

HI HCR193

Requesting The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs To Convene A Working Group To Examine And Consider The Transfer Of Native Hawaiian Burial Site Management Under Chapter 6e, Hawaii Revised Statutes, From The State Historic Preservation Division To The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs.

HI HR186

Requesting The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs To Convene A Working Group To Examine And Consider The Transfer Of Native Hawaiian Burial Site Management Under Chapter 6e, Hawaii Revised Statutes, From The State Historic Preservation Division To The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs.

HI SCR17

Requesting The Insurance Commissioner To Study The Impact Of Uninsured Motorists In Hawaii.

HI HCR107

Requesting The Hawaii State Commission On The Status Of Women To Convene A Working Group To Develop Measures To Strengthen Protections Under Title Ix.

HI HR103

Requesting The Hawaii State Commission On The Status Of Women To Convene A Working Group To Develop Measures To Strengthen Protections Under Title Ix.

HI SCR155

Requesting The Insurance Commissioner To Produce A Detailed Report Regarding The State Of The Private Property Insurance Industry In Hawaii.

HI SCR189

Requesting The Auditor To Conduct An Audit Of The Moneys Appropriated To The Department Of Hawaiian Home Lands Pursuant To Act 279, Session Laws Of Hawaii 2022.

Similar Bills

HI SR165

Requesting The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission To Examine The Applicability Of Existing State Anti-discrimination Laws To Algorithmic And Automated Decision Systems.

HI HCR192

Requesting The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission To Examine The Applicability Of Existing State Anti-discrimination Laws To Algorithmic And Automated Decision Systems.

HI HR182

Requesting The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission To Examine The Applicability Of Existing State Anti-discrimination Laws To Algorithmic And Automated Decision Systems.

NJ S4239

Establishes Office of Algorithmic Civil Rights in DLPS to prevent discrimination in use of algorithms.

WA HB2157

Regulating high-risk artificial intelligence system development, deployment, and use.

US HB7110

Eliminating Bias in Algorithmic Systems Act of 2026

US SB3680

Eliminating Bias in Algorithmic Systems Act of 2026

CA SB420

An act to add Chapter 24.