HB 444 May Be Pulled

State Senators in the Democrat party are meeting late this afternoon to decide on whether or not to pull HB 444 (Civil Unions) out of the confines of the Senate Judiciary Committee. HB 444 was technically killed last month after the Judiciary Committee voted in a 3 to 3 tie on whether or not the bill should pass out of committee. The vote in February was taken in committee after an 18+ hour long hearing where both sides got to express their opinions of the very divisive Civil Unions issue.

It the Civil Unions bill is pulled out of committee, it will face a floor vote in the Senate where it may likely pass. If HB 444 passes out of the Senate as is, it goes to the Governor for possible action that could turn it to law and marginalizing tradtional marriage rights.

There is a possibility that a floor amendment could be offered if the bill is pulled. If the amended bill is voted upon, it will then have to go to conference committee.

It the Democrats agree to pull the bill out of committee, it could be pulled to the Senate floor by tomorrow March 25 at 11:30 a.m.

Opponents of HB 444 should continue to contact the following Senators asking them to please "don't pull HB 444 out of committee".

The following list was provided by opponents of HB 444 (original also lists Hawaii Family Forum).

Senators Strongly in favor of Pulling HB 444:

• Gary Hooser - 586-6030
• Les Ihara - 586-6250
• Rosalyn Baker - 586-6070

In favor of pulling bill but not as strong:

• Carol Fukunaga - 586-7335
• Michelle Kidani - 586-7100
• Suzanne Chun Oakland - 586-6130
• Kalani English - 587-7225
• David Ige - 586-6230

Not sure about pulling bill

• Dwight Takamine 586-7335
• Clarence Nishihara - 586-6970
• Russell Kokubun - 586-6760
• Wil Espero - 586-6360
• Brickwood Galuteria 586-6740
• Clayton Hee 586-7330

Does Not Want to Pull the bill but may vote in favor if 9 votes needed

• Brian Taniguchi - 586-6460
• Jill Tokuda - 587-7215
• Josh Green - 586-9385
• Colleen Hanabusa - 586-7793

Strongly Opposes Pulling Bill

• Donna Mercado Kim - 587-7200
• Shan Tstusui - 586-7344

Strongly Opposes Pulling the Bill and the Bill Itself

• Robert Bunda - 586-6090
• Norman Sakamoto - 586=8585
• Fred Hemmings - 587-8388
• Sam Slom - 586-8420
• Mike Gabbard - 586-6830

Photo: More than 7,000 people protest against HB 444 on February 22.