HCS HJR 39, 38, 42 & 47 -- SAME-SEX MARRIAGES

SPONSOR:  Phillips (Engler)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children
and Families by a vote of 8 to 6.

This proposed constitutional amendment establishes that marriage
in this state will consist only of the union between a man and a
woman, and no license to marry will be issued except to a man and
a woman.  Marriage between persons of the same sex, and full
faith and credit of that marital status entered into in another
state, will not be recognized as marriage in Missouri.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost on General Revenue Fund of
$36,840 in FY 2005, $0 in FY 2006, and $0 in FY 2007.  No impact
on other state funds in FY 2005, FY 2006, and FY 2007.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that Missouri should value the
sanctity of marriage, and that the citizens of the state should
be able to decide whether to allow same-sex marriage.  The
amendment deals with an issue that has recently come up on a
national level.  Marriage is an important institution in our
society and has been attacked in recent years.  If marriage is
important to society, then it is important that a provision like
this be in the state's constitution.  Marriage is a moral issue,
and the state should help to strengthen marriage, not weaken it.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Engler, Baker,
Morris, and Wilson (130); Missouri Catholic Conference; and
Missouri Baptist Foundation.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the amendment say that Missouri has
already passed a law defining the public policy that marriage in
this state is between a man and a woman.  The amendment goes
beyond the passing of legislation by limiting the ability of
future legislatures to change their minds about this issue.  The
majority of Missourians don't support same-sex marriage, and the
state currently doesn't allow it.

Testifying against the bill were American Civil Liberties Union
of Eastern Missouri; PROMO; Missouri Women's Network; and
Franklin McCallie.

Amy Woods, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:16 am