Hawaii: Civil Unions Pass First Hurdle

Hawaii's senate judiciary committee has decided to advance a proposed civil unions bill to a full senate vote.

The committee approved the bill 3-2 Tuesday, according to KHON News.

Democratic lawmakers said they want to address the civil unions bill early in the term, to allow them time to concentrate on looming economic problems and creating jobs. Gov. Neil Abercrombie has said that he would sign the civil union bills if it reached his desk. The legislation is identical to the bill that then-governor Linda Lingle vetoed last July.

"I am vetoing this bill because I have become convinced that this issue is of such significant societal importance that it deserves to be decided directly by all the people of Hawaii," she said in her veto message.

Lingle was ineligible to run for reelection due to term limits.