Hawaii Senate Approves Civil Unions

The Hawaiian Senate has voted in favor of the civil union legislation by a veto-proof majority of 18-7. The bill now heads to the State House which approved a similar measure last year. It is widely expected to pass but may fall 1-2 votes short of veto-proof. Republican Governor Linda Lingle has not signaled whether she would sign the legislation into law.

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The Hawaii Senate is expected to debate and pass legislation to allow civil unions for same-sex couples. The legislation debated last year stalled and it is unknown whether they will get the veto proof majority needed to override a possible veto by Republican Governor Linda Lingle.

Governor Lingle has a mostly pro-gay rights record, but she has been mum on whether she would veto the legislation. She has repeatedly said that the Senate should focus on the economy and push this legislation to the side.

Contact your state Senator and urge them to vote for marriage equality.

Urge Senator Robert Bunda to Side With Equality on Hawaii Civil Unions Bill

Hawaii is close to having civil unions, the house has just passed the bill and now it is up to the senate. In order for the bill to come up for a vote it needs to advance through the committee.

On the six-member committee, 3 are supportive, 2 against and one who has been against but is now a swing vote.

Sen. Robert Bunda, D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa) said he needs to get a better understanding of the legislation and will consider it even though he has been opposed to same-sex unions in the past.

Please contact Mr. Bunda and politely urge him to support civil unions, remind him that his election is historic as being the first Filipino to attain the presidency of any state legislature and that he should stand up for diversity and equality.

senbunda@Capitol.hawaii.gov

22nd Senatorial District
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 202
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
phone 808-586-6090; fax 808-586-6091

Hawaii Civil Unions Bill Hearing on 2/5, Testimony Needed!

URGENT ALERT: House Bill 444, A Bill For An Act Relating to Civil Unions in Hawaii, will be heard by the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, 2/5/09, at 2 p.m. in Conference Room 325 at the State Capitol (415 South Beretania Street, Honolulu).

Testimony needs to be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the hearing with a cover indicating:

* Testifier's name with position/title and organization
* The Committee the comments are directed to (in this case, Judiciary)
* The date and time of the hearing
* The measure number (HB 444)
* The number of copies the Committee is requesting

Testimony can be submitted in ONE of the following ways:

* Paper: One copy plus original to Room 302 in the State Capitol
* Fax: For comments less than five pages in length, transmit to 586-8494 (Oahu) or 1-800-535-3859 (Neighbor Islands).
* E-mail: For comments less than five pages in length, email to JUDtestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov

RECOMMENDATIONS: Please refer to Family Equality Coalition e-mail of 2/1/09 for suggested guidelines for preparing testimony. It is posted at http://tinyurl.com/family-equality. It is recommended that you keep your testimony brief! The goal is to get through this hearing in no more than three to four hours and move directly to a vote.

PLANS TO MEET: Please arrive by 1 p.m. We will meet in the Capitol Rotunda on the Iolani Palace side. Family Equality Coalition will distribute Equality stickers for you to wear during the hearing. We will also go over some guidelines for suggested decorum.

IF UNABLE TO ATTEND: If you are unable to attend the public hearing, please submit testimony regardless. It will still be part of the public record and be of much benefit.

Crossposted via Pam's House Blend.