Bill
SB 522
85(R) - 2017
Senate State Affairs
Senate State Affairs
Counties
Family Values
Local Government
Vote Recommendation
Yes
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Positive
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Positive
Author(s)
Brian Birdwell
Charles Perry
Bill Caption
Relating to issuing a marriage license and conducting a marriage ceremony.
Fiscal Notes
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
Under current law, only certain individuals have the authority to legally administer a marriage. SB 522 would expand this authority to officially designated “certifying officials.” This bill would do so specifically to enable county clerks who are unwilling to perform a marriage ceremony for religious reasons to delegate the authority to a willing certifying official. This would not apply in cases where the objection is based on race, religion, or nationality.
Vote Recommendation Notes
This bill supports the principles of individual liberty and limited government by protecting the religious freedom of county clerks who conscientiously object to performing certain marriages. For this reason, we support SB 522.
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