JUD, FIN joint committee passes SB1

The joint House committee hearing on SB1 (between the Judiciary and Finance committees) resulted in a recommendation to pass SB1 back to the full house, but with three primary amendments.

The religious exemption language was strengthened to match the language in Connecticut’s same-sex marriage law. The parental provision clause (572C) was removed as it was deemed “unnecessary” and the date on which the law would take effect was pushed back to December 2..

The bill will now go back before the full House, with a vote scheduled for Thursday Wednesday, with the third reading likely scheduled for Friday.

Updated with vote information.

The committee vote was 10 ayes (Representatives Luke, Nishimoto, Hashem, Ing, Kobayashi, Lowen, Morikawa, Onishi, Takayama and Yamashita) and 7 noes (Representatives Johanson, Cullen, Jordan, Tokioka, Woodson and Fukumoto and Ward).

Updated 9:55 a.m., 11/6/2013.

Governor Abercrombie’s administration sent out a press release last night endorsing the amendments:

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
NEIL ABERCROMBIE
GOVERNOR

DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
DAVID LOUIE
ATTORNEY GENERAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 5, 2013
Governor and Attorney General Statement on Amendments to SB 1 – Relating to Equal Rights

HONOLULU — Gov. Neil Abercrombie and State Attorney General David Louie released the following statement regarding amendments to Senate Bill 1 – Relating to Equal Rights.

“The amendments outlined in House Draft 1 strike a balance between the bill that was introduced by the Legislature and concerns raised in written and oral testimony during public hearings.

“We support the principle that any measure on marriage equity must protect religious freedom, which the Legislature has clearly worked to achieve.

“The bill as amended is legally sound and is in accord with the Hawaii State Constitution.

“We urge the Legislature to pass this bill, which will provide marriage equity and fully recognize religious beliefs in that context.”