From Fairness Coalition
(Frankfort, KY) Republican Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin joined Senator Morgan McGarvey, the Kentucky County Clerks Association, and the Fairness Coalition to support a bill creating one marriage license form for all Kentuckians. Senate Bill 216, amended by committee substitute, received a unanimous bi-partisan vote in the House Judiciary Committee’s final meeting of the legislative session today.
“My staff has been working collaboratively with Rep. Denham, sponsor of House Bill 258, and Sen. Steve West, sponsor of Senate Bill 5, along with Sen. Morgan McGarvey and the County Clerks Association to craft legislation to address all concerns,” Governor Bevin said in a written statement to House Judiciary Chairman Darryl Owens. “I offer my support for a single form and look forward to signing this legislation and allowing our County Clerks to follow the law without being forced to violate their own conscience.”
“One marriage license form is smart, efficient, and accommodates everyone equally,” shared Fairness Campaign director Chris Hartman. “This is one of those rare but wonderful moments that reaffirms the notion that, while we may not agree on every issue, we can still work together to find common sense solutions to the problems facing our commonwealth.”
A previous bill approved by the Senate, Senate Bill 5, would have created two marriage license forms–one for gay couples and one for straight couples. Senator McGarvey proposed an amendment to Senate Bill 5 creating one form, which narrowly failed in the Senate several weeks ago.
Senate Bill 216 will now move to the full House, where it is expected to be placed on the Consent Calendar for passage Friday. Should the House approve it, Senate Bill 216 will be assigned to a Conference Committee for House and Senate members to reconcile differences between the two chambers’ bills.
ATTACHED: Statement from Governor Matt Bevin
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The Fairness Coalition consists of members and allies of the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, Fairness Campaign, Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, and Lexington Fairness working together to advance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Kentuckians.
