Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passes in Committee
Senate Joint Resolution 13, which would legalize same-sex marriage in Nevada, was passed in the Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections with a vote of 3-2. The bill had been amended since it was first discussed in the committee on March 26, with the new language stating that Nevada and its political subdivisions will recognize marriages and issue marriage licenses regardless of gender.
Senator Tick Segerblom explained that the change was made to the bill so that it the language would be clearer. After Senator Segerblom commented on the changes made to the bill, Senator James Settelmeyer said that he could no longer support the bill since it had been amended.
“Senator Segerblom, I don’t believe this belongs in the constitution at all, and I told you that,” Settelmeyer said. “I agreed to striking [the limitation of marriage] out of the constitution, period. It should not be a matter within the constitution.”
Senator Kelvin Atkinson questioned whether this bill would go to the voters, and Senator Segerblom stated that if the bill passed the legislative session, it would most likely be on the ballot for voters in 2016.
Senator Barbara Cegavske and Senator Settelmeyer voted against the bill, but it still passed in the committee. The next step is for the bill to go to the Senate Floor.
Check out Natasha Vitale’s original coverage on this issue, “Same-Sex Marriage Draws Big Support at Capitol”
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