HCS HB 2173 -- MARRIAGE
SPONSOR: Schnelting
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing
Committee on General Laws by a vote of 9 to 4. Motion to "Do Pass"
Failed by the Standing Committee on Rules- Legislative Oversight by
a vote of 5 to 5.
The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB
2173.
This bill changes the laws regarding marriage by replacing
"marriage licenses" with "contracts of domestic union".
This bill is similar to HB 62 (2017).
The following is a summary of the public testimony from the
committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced
version of the bill.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that domestic union has the same legal
impact as a marriage. Supporters also testified that the
government should not be involved in marriage. This bill is about
treating everyone equally.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Schnelting; Pastor
Terry Roberts, Faith Christian Family Church; Carl Bearden, United
For Missouri; and Pastor Tory Tilles.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that the government has a
significant role in marriage. A marital status is important in
many realms, such as taxes, immigration status, social security
benefits, divorces, and hospital visitations. Opponents testified
that the legislative body cannot change for the federal government
recognizes marriage. A domestic union may not be recognized in
other states. Opponents of the bill do not want their marriage to
be nullified.
Testifying against the bill were Carl Westlund; Jay Polchow;
Empower Missouri; American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri;
PROMO; Sara Baker; Denise Libberman, Esquire, PROMO; Lisa Westlund;
and Wendi Polchow.
Statutes affected: Introduced (4450H.02):
36.020,
50.1250,
56.110,
56.830,
57.967,
57.980,
57.982,
59.310,
59.313,
59.330,
59.410,
59.450,
64.090,
67.1421,
67.1876,
70.661,
70.675,
71.011,
71.590,
86.093,
86.251,
86.253,
86.254,
86.260,
86.280,
86.283,
86.287,
86.547,
86.1151,
86.1230,
86.1240,
86.1310,
86.1540,
86.1580,
86.1610,
87.045,
87.050,
87.195,
87.220,
87.235,
87.440,
87.445,
87.450,
87.455,
87.615,
88.080,
89.020,
104.012,
104.090,
104.140,
104.312,
104.372,
104.395,
104.420,
104.610,
104.612,
104.620,
104.1027,
104.1030,
104.1051,
104.1054,
104.1091,
105.915,
108.470,
115.167,
135.090,
135.096,
143.124,
143.125,
143.161,
166.435,
169.075,
169.076,
169.141,
169.460,
169.572,
169.590,
169.676,
169.715,
170.015,
172.310,
173.275,
182.050,
182.190,
182.640,
190.060,
190.294,
190.339,
192.016,
192.2200,
193.015,
193.085,
193.087,
193.185,
193.195,
193.205,
193.215,
193.265,
193.275,
194.115,
198.088,
199.009,
199.043,
205.970,
208.010,
208.026,
208.040,
208.784,
209.030,
209.625,
210.481,
210.565,
210.818,
210.822,
210.824,
210.829,
210.841,
211.021,
214.270,
227.297,
273.110,
287.240,
287.812,
301.443,
301.682,
301.3121,
302.171,
302.178,
314.100,
320.320,
321.220,
321.600,
354.095,
354.536,
375.936,
375.995,
376.426,
376.428,
376.450,
376.776,
376.777,
376.806,
376.820,
376.892,
376.893,
376.894,
376.920,
376.960,
379.930,
404.051,
404.550,
404.570,
404.717,
404.719,
408.550,
408.575,
431.058,
431.061,
431.064,
431.065,
431.066,
432.010,
435.405,
442.025,
442.040,
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443.863,
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452.315,
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452.320,
452.325,
452.330,
452.335,
452.340,
452.360,
452.370,
452.372,
452.375,
452.380,
452.402,
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453.090,
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