(The February 2016 Newsletter content includes these topics: Redefining of marriage, sexual orientation counseling, sanctuary cities, marijuana, English as a second language)
H.B. 757 Repeals Georgia Definition of Marriage
H.B. 757, Representative Kevin tanner introduced January 14th as a religious liberty bill to uphold pastors’ right of conscience, does far more than that. It repeals Georgia marriage law that is quoted in Paragraph 1 below, and replaces it with language in Paragraph 2 below.
Paragraph 1: Georgia’s Current1 Marriage Law
“19-3-3.1. (a) It is declared to be the public policy of this state to recognize the union only of man and woman. Marriages between persons of the same sex are prohibited in this state.
(b) No marriage between persons of the same sex shall be recognized as entitled to the benefits of marriage. Any marriage entered into by persons of the same sex pursuant to a marriage license issued by another state or foreign jurisdiction or otherwise shall be void in this state. Any contractual rights granted by virtue of such license shall be unenforceable in the courts of this state and the courts of this state shall have no jurisdiction whatsoever under any circumstances to grant a divorce or separate maintenance with respect to such marriage or otherwise to consider or rule on any of the parties’ respective rights arising as a result of or in connection with such marriage.”
Paragraph 2: Marriage Law as Proposed in H.B. 757
“19-3-3.1. No minister of the gospel or cleric or religious practitioner ordained or authorized to solemnize marriages according to the usages of the denomination, when acting in his or her official religious capacity, shall be required to solemnize any marriage in violation of his or her right to free exercise of religion under the Constitution of this state or of the United States.”
If H.B. 757 passes, Georgia law would not define marriage, though the Georgia Constitution, Article I, Section. IV, Paragraph I would continue to define it as between a man and a woman.
ACTION – Oppose. Call House Judiciary Committee Representatives Willard, Ch., 404 656-5125; Fleming, V-Ch., 656-0152; Allison, Sec., 656-0188; Bennett, 656-0220; Beskin, 656-0254; Bruce, 656-7859; Caldwell, 656-0325; Evans, 656-6372; Golick, 656-5943; Jones, 656-7859; Kelly, 657-1803; Mabra, 656-7859; Weldon, 656-5105; Wilkinson, 463-8143.
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