Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
I know that "Birthers" think Hawaii is some exotic foreign country rather than the 50th state, and the American media tends to disregard news from Hawaii because its time zone does not coincide with their broadcasts or print deadlines, but there is news happening in Hawaii this week that deserves the media's attention. Here is the Honolulu Star-Advertiser today:
The Special Session of the Hawaii Legislature for SB1 – Hawaii Marriage Equity Act begins today.
Fervent assemblies precede session (subscription required).
The Hawaii Reporter does not require a subscription. Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor to Hold Hearing on Marriage Equality Bill:
The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor will hold a hearing on Senate Bill (SB) 1, Relating to Equal Rights, on Monday, October 28, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the State Capitol Auditorium.
The hearing will follow 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. “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.”
Testimony is currently being accepted. The deadline to submit testimony [was] Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 10:30 a.m.
Members of the public wishing to submit testimony may do so online,
via email, in person, or by fax. More information about the hearing and
how to submit testimony can be found on the Committee’s hearing notice
at: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/splsession2013b/Hearing%20JDL%2010-28-13.pdf.
If the bill passes out of the Judiciary and Labor Committee, it will go to the full Senate for a vote.
To review the draft bill, receive more information about special
session, and keep updated about the bill’s status, please go to:http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/splsession.aspx?year=2013b.
During special session, the Senate will also take action on numerous
interim appointments to boards and commissions requiring Senate
confirmation. Confirmation of these appointments is the responsibility
of the Senate; if the Senate elects not to take action on the
appointments, the individuals appointed cannot continue to serve and are
ineligible for another interim appointment to the same position.
The Hawaii State Senate will convene in special session on October
28, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in the Senate Chambers. Floor sessions for the
remainder of the special session will convene at 11:30 a.m., unless
circumstances require otherwise.
Monday’s hearing will be broadcast live by Capitol TV and on Olelo Channel 53.
