The state Senate passed the marriage bill on October 30 by a vote of 20–4, and the House followed by a 30–19 vote on November 8, though not before an extensive 'citizens filibuster' attempt to block the bill's progress. The bill returned to the Senate for approval of House amendments which expanded religious exemptions and the Senate provided final legislative approval on November 12, voting 19–4 for passage. Governor Neil Abercrombie signed the bill on November 13, and same-sex couples began marrying on December 2, 2013. In the first two weeks after the law went into effect, 526 same-sex couples had applied for marriage licenses.