The Hawaii House Judiciary Committee is taking up same-sex civil unions next week after the legislation already passed the state Senate. The committee announced it has scheduled a public hearing on the bill Tuesday. The measure would grant some of the rights of marriage to same-sex couples without authorizing marriage itself.
It’s nearly identical to a similar bill that passed the Legislature last year before it was vetoed by then-Governor Linda Lingle, a Republican. New Democratic Governor Neil Abercrombie has said he supports civil unions.
The Judiciary Committee also will consider a separate civil unions bill during the same hearing.