The Hawai`i State House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a bill to establish civil unions. The State Senate also has the votes to pass the bill. But the bill has been referred to the Senate's Judiciary and Government Operations Committee, and it's unclear whether there are sufficient votes to pass the bill out of committee to the Senate floor. According to most observers, Sen. Robert Bunda holds the swing vote.
1st UPDATE:
Sen. Bunda plans to vote against civil unions.
2nd UPDATE:
Senate leaders say privately they have the votes to pull civil unions bill from Senate JGO if necessary.
Whether you're a Hawai`i resident, a past Hawai`i visitor, or a potential future Hawai`i visitor, the Senate needs to hear your voice on this important matter of equality.
Below the fold I have provided tips from the ACLU of Hawai`i's website to walk you through the process.
The ACLU of Hawai`i:
Senate members need to hear from you today!
On Tuesday February 24, 2009 at 9:00 a.m., the Hawaii Senate Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations (JGO) will be voting on a comprehensive Civil Union Bill (H.B. 444, HD1). The bill would provide same-sex couples with full relationship protections and responsibilities. The bill has already passed the House but our opposition has mobilized. Opposition groups are currently flooding the Capitol with phone calls and emails asking Senate members to oppose H.B. 444, HD1.
The vote is going to be extremely close, so we need your support. We need to be sure that Senate members hear from those who support civil unions in Hawaii, so please take just a few minutes to urge the Senators to vote yes on H.B. 444, HD1.
Please encourage your friends and family to take immediate action and forward this information to them. We can win this, but we need your help!
Here is what you can do:
- Submit testimony to the JGO Senate Committee in strong support of H.B. 444, HD1, by 12:00pm on Monday, February 23, 2009.
[see below for sample testimony]
- Send an email to the Senate members to express your strong support of Civil Unions, H.B. 444, HD1.
[see below for sample email language]; and
- Call Senate members to express your strong support of Civil Unions, H.B. 444, HD1.
[see below for sample phone call language and contact list].
Take Action Today! Contact Senate Members Now!
- Sample Testimony
VIA EMAIL:
JGOtestimony@Capitol.hawaii.gov
Committee:
Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations
Hearing Date/Time:
Tuesday, February 24, 2009, 9:00 a.m.
Place:
Auditorium
Re:
Testimony of _________in Strong Support of H.B. 444, HD1 Relating to Civil Unions
Dear Chair Taniguchi, Vice-Chair Takamine and Members of the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations:
I write in strong support of H.B. 444, HD1 Relating to Civil Unions.
This bill would extend full relationship protections and responsibilities - giving couples greater ability to care for those they love. Further, it represents a substantial step forward toward ensuring that gay and lesbian couples are afforded equal treatment under the law.
It is just and appropriate to extend more protections to lesbian and gay couples than those currently provided under Hawaii law. H.B. 444, HD1 will further extend rights to gay and lesbian couples in several significant ways. To identify a few, current Hawaii law does not permit same-sex couples to adopt jointly a child in a single court proceeding. Current law also fails to protect members of a same-sex couple in the event the couple chooses to separate - there are no provisions in the law for judicial dissolution of the relationship or for support of a former partner. Additionally, adopting this law would provide a vehicle for private employers to offer health benefits to same-sex couples.
I believe that it is incumbent upon our elected officials to ensure that all residents of Hawaii are treated equally. H.B. 444, HD1 represents significant progress in attaining that goal. Thus, I urge you to vote yes.
Thank you for this opportunity to testify.
Respectfully submitted,
[Name]
[Position]
[Address]
- Sample Email
To: sens@capitol.hawaii.gov
Subject: Strong Support of Civil Unions, H.B. 444, HD1
Dear Senators:
My name is _ and I write today in strong support of civil unions, H.B. 444, HD1. This bill would extend full relationship protections and responsibilities — giving couples greater ability to care for those they love. Further, it represents a substantial step forward toward ensuring that gay and lesbian couples are afforded equal treatment under the law. Thus, I respectfully request vote yes on HB 444, HD1 and that you urge your colleagues to do the same. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Position]
[Address]
- Sample Phone Call Language and Contact List
"Aloha, my name is ______ and I live in ____. I strongly support civil unions. Will you please ask Senator _ to vote YES on H.B. 444, HD1? Thank you!"
Contact list for all Senators: http://capitol.hawaii.gov/...
Questions, comments, concerns? Please contact:
American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i
P.O. Box 3410
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96801
T: 808.522-5900
F: 808.522-5909
E: legislative@acluhawaii.org
www.acluhawaii.org
Here are a couple of additional resources -
Information from Hawaii Family Forum on its efforts to organize opposition to civil unions:
http://www.hawaiifamilyforum.org/...
Legislative update on civil unions from the Catholic Church in Hawai`i:
http://www.catholichawaii.org/...
Bishop of Honolulu's letter to Sen. Robert Bunda on civil unions (Feb. 13, 2009):
http://www.catholichawaii.org/...
Information on the civil unions bill from the legislature's website:
http://capitol.hawaii.gov/...
Sen. Robert Bunda's website:
http://capitol.hawaii.gov/...
Aloha & mahalo!