Marriage license bill stalls in Alabama Legislature

Montgomery, Ala. (AP) — Alabama is staying in the marriage license business.

Lawmakers did not have enough votes Tuesday to pass a proposal to do away with state-issued marriage licenses.

The bill was introduced in the wake of court decision legalizing same-sex marriage.

A majority of House members supported the idea. However, it needed a two-thirds vote because it was outside of the special session focused on the budget.

The bill sought to do away with marriage licenses and have couples bring in a signed marriage contract.

The change would prevent probate judges who oppose same-sex marriage from having to sign licenses for gay couples. A few Alabama counties have shut down marriage license operations altogether rather than issue licenses to gay couples.

Lawmakers might try again in the session that begins in February.

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The Gayly – September 16, 2015 @ 11:20am.