Hawaii House Committees Forward Gay Marriage Bill to Floor

HONOLULU - Two Hawaii House committees are moving forward a bill to legalize gay marriage to the full chamber.

Members of the House judiciary and finance committees voted for the bill Tuesday night after hearing more than 55 hours of public testimony that led to alterations in the bill.

The committees made three amendments to the bill. One strengthens religious exemptions for clergy and organizations. Another deletes language governing Native Hawaiian parentage and a third moves the date ceremonies can begin to Dec. 2.

The full House is expected to consider the bill in a second reading on Tuesday night, with the possibility of fully passing the bill later this week.

The amendments mean the measure will have to be approved a second time by the state Senate.