The bill failed to pass with a 12-12 vote on Friday, when Sen. Kurt Fevella of Ewa Beach, the Senate's only Republican, was absent because of a medical emergency. He voted against the bill Tuesday, but the measure passed when Sen. Clarence Nishihara voted "yes" instead of "no" as he had on Friday. Nishihara, who represents Waipahu and Pearl City, didn't immediately return a voicemail message seeking comment.