Bill would take Alabama out of marriage license business

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The Alabama Senate on Tuesday voted to do away with state-issued marriage licenses after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that effectively legalized same-sex marriage.

Senators approved the bill 23-3, sending it to the Alabama House of Representatives. It would require couples to file a form — provided by the state — recording their marriage rather than have county probate offices issue licenses.

A few Alabama probate judges have stopped issuing marriage licenses altogether to avoid giving them to same-sex couples. Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Range, said the change would end controversy about marriage licenses while ensuring that people can marry whomever they choose.

"I'm just trying to find a way to solve the problem," Albritton said.

Rep. Patricia Todd, the only openly gay legislator in the state, called the bill is unnecessary.

Todd said probate judges need to just "do their job" and issue licenses.

The bill now moves to the Alabama House of Representatives.

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The Gayly 3/16/2016 @ 11:00 a.m. CST