A special state House committee tasked with determining the validity of a petition challenging the residency of Rep. Calvin Say (D, Palolo-Saint Louis Heights-Kaimuki) will hold its first meeting Friday afternoon.

The committee will first give the petitioners, led by their attorney Lance D. Collins, 20 minutes to present their case. Following a question-and-answer period, Say will then be given 20 minutes to present his side. 

The six members of the committee are expected to discuss the matter and make a recommendation to the full House at a later date.

Friday’s meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the state Capitol conference room 325. It can be viewed live on Oahu via Olelo channel 55. It will also be broadcast live on public access stations on other islands, and can also be viewed via online video-streaming at www.olelo.org.

To see the public documents on the petition, go to::  http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/specialcommittee.aspx?comm=hsc&year=2015.

This is believed to be the first time in the history of the Legislature that a committee has convened to determine a lawmaker’s residency.

Say, the former House Speaker and the representative for the House district since 1976, has fended off questions about his residency for years from people who assert that he actually lives in Pauoa Valley rather than the 10th Avenue house where he has claimed he resides since he first entered office.