Hawaii Senate Passes Gay Marriage Bill, House to Vote

Bobby McGuire READ TIME: 1 MIN.

HONOLULU - The Hawaii state Senate has passed a bill legalizing gay marriage, sending the measure to the House.

The Senate passed the bill during a midday session on Wednesday, with senators approving the measure 20-4.

Democratic Sen. Clayton Hee said before voting for the bill that the moment is career-defining and lawmakers should embrace it.

Hee says Hawaii should expand its definition of aloha to truly include everyone regardless of sexual orientation.

The bill is expected to face a more difficult path in the House than the Senate, though both chambers are dominated by Democrats.

The House plans to refer the bill later Wednesday to a joint committee hearing on Thursday. The hearing is likely to be jammed with public testimony, with the possibility of being extended to a second day.


by Bobby McGuire

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