Assembly OKs Bill That Opposes Gay Marriages

The Assembly on Tuesday narrowly approved a Senate bill that was amended to deny recognition of gay and lesbian marriages that occur in other states.

Opponents, however, invoked a parliamentary device which, at least temporarily, blocked transmission of the bill to the Senate, where it is certain to face an uphill fight.

When it eventually reaches the Senate, the bill (SB 2075) by Sen. Ray Haynes (R-Riverside) will return to a committee for scrutiny of the Assembly amendments, a procedure that could doom the bill.

In this case, the bill was rewritten in the Assembly to contain the same-sex marriage prohibition.

Pending on the Senate floor is another Republican bill that would prohibit recognition of same-gender marriages performed elsewhere. However, it contains a domestic partnership provision placed there by Democrats.

The Senate favors allowing unmarried couples to register as domestic partners and get certain benefits. But the Assembly has rejected the concept.

The Haynes bill was approved Tuesday on a 42-31 Assembly vote, one more than the simple majority required. Efforts to add a domestic partners amendment failed.

Supporters of the bill said it would not only deny recognition of out-of-state gay and lesbian marriages, but also would prohibit recognition of marriages that are not legal in California. These include marriages of cousins, certain minors and common law unions.