Amendment SSA1-AJR66

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2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE

SENATE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO 2003 ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION 66

March 11, 2004 - Offered by Senator Carpenter.

AJR66-SSA1,1,4 To amend section 18 of article I of the constitution; relating to: prohibiting the government from requiring any church to perform or recognize ceremonies of marriage, or any status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals (first consideration).

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This proposed constitutional amendment, proposed to the 2003 legislature on first consideration, provides that the government shall not require any church, congregation, or religious society or denomination to perform or recognize ceremonies of marriage, or any status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals, for any religious or other purpose.

A proposed constitutional amendment requires adoption by 2 successive legislatures, and ratification by the people, before it can become effective.

AJR66-SSA1,1,5 Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That:

AJR66-SSA1, s. 1 Section 1. Section 18 of article I of the constitution is amended to read:

AJR66-SSA1,2,9 [Article I] Section 18. The right of every person to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed; nor shall any person be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry, without consent; nor shall any control of, or interference with, the rights of conscience be permitted, or any preference be given by law to any religious establishments or modes of worship; nor shall any money be drawn from the treasury for the benefit of religious societies, or religious or theological seminaries. The government shall not require any church, congregation, or religious society or denomination to perform or recognize ceremonies of marriage, or any status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals, for any religious or other purpose.

AJR66-SSA1,2,12 Be it further resolved, That this proposed amendment be referred to the legislature to be chosen at the next general election and that it be published for 3 months previous to the time of holding such election.

AJR66-SSA1,2,13 (End)