Committee to Hold Hearing on Marriage Equality Bill

Supporters of same sex marriage legislation were among those holding signs in support of the measure on Friday, Oct. 25, along Kaʻahumanu Avenue in Kahului. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Testimony is being accepted through 10:30 a.m. today (Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013), as state senators gather input for a hearing set to take place on Monday for a bill relating to equal rights.

The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor will hold the hearing on Senate Bill 1, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, 2013 in the State Capitol Auditorium, following the convening of the Second Special Session of 2013 called by Governor Neil Abercrombie.

“Listening to public input, we’ve strived to strike a balance between the concerns expressed by both sides of this issue,” said Senator Clayton Hee, Chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor in a committee issued press release.

Supporters of traditional marriage between individuals of the opposite sex were among those holding signs along Kaʻahumanu Avenue in the days leading up to the special session on Marriage Equity, set to start on Oct. 28. Photo by Wendy Osher.

“We have also done our best to provide the public with ample opportunity to review the measure posted online to offer further input. Everyone wishing to participate may do so by submitting testimony,” he said.

Members of the public wishing to submit testimony must clearly indicate: to which committee the testimony is being submitted; the measure number; the date and time of the hearing; and whether you will be testifying in person.

Testimony may be submitted in one of the following ways:

• Online at: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/submittestimony.aspx
• Via email to: [email protected] if you are also going to testify at the hearing in person; or [email protected] if you are only submitting written comments and will not be testifying in person.
• In person: Deliver one copy of your testimony to the committee clerk, Room 407, State Capitol. It is requested that each individual limit their oral testimony to two minutes.
• Via Fax: Testimony may be faxed if it is less than five pages in length, to 586-7334 or 1-800-586-6659 (toll free for neighbor islands).

If the bill passes out of the Judiciary and Labor Committee, it will go to the full Senate for a vote.

Text of the bill can be found at the following direct link. Updates from the special session and the progress of bills introduces will be available at the following link.

In the weeks leading up to the special session, individuals from both sides of the issue were observed waving signs along Kaʻahumanu Avenue in Kahului to drum up support for their respective opinions on the topic of marriage equality in Hawaiʻi.