Bill OK'd limiting who can perform marriages
After reaffirming Utah's ban against same-sex marriage, lawmakers now are moving to limit who can perform marriages.
House members Tuesday approved 45-26 a bill that restricts marriage powers to clergy, county clerks and specified elected officials, including the governor, House speaker and Senate president.
The measure already has passed the Senate and now goes to Gov. Olene Walker for final action.
Sponsoring Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Cottonwood Heights, said the idea for the bill was brought to her by an unidentified person who had observed marriages performed by people designated by county clerks.
"A marriage is a special thing," said Walker. "There is an authority factor that should be present."
Critics of Senate Bill 157 questioned what was driving the quest to restrict marriage authority.
"I've never seen a worse example of a solution looking for a problem," said Rep. Scott Daniels, D-Salt Lake City.
"If somebody wants their neighbor to perform the marriage, what's wrong with that? Why do we want to control people in this fashion?" asked Daniels. "Why do we care?"
-- Dan Harrie
I think we have two different things here.
So, how are they going to define "clergy"?
Pretty much any definition the come up with -- that will have any "teeth" insofar as preventing "any joe off the street" from performing marriages -- will offend at least some bona fide religions.
The problem isn't with who performs "marriages". Regulating "who" can perform a wedding ceremony is like regulating guns. It won't stop crime.
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