In The Chair: Moss
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
Protest
Senator Daley, under his constitutional right of protest (Art. 4, Sec. 18), protested against the passage of Senate Bill No. 285.
Senator Daley’s statement is as follows:
I believe this legislation represents another blow to the sanctity of marriage, an institution which has already taken a beating in recent years. Allowing just anybody to officiate a wedding will further weaken what should be a very serious undertaking. I know supporters of this bill will point out that the current process to become a minister is nothing more than a formality. I respond that, rather than encouraging couples to think even less about their officiant, we should be empowering them to be more thoughtful and intentional with their choices.
I would be glad to support legislation to require real training to become a wedding officiant, thus adding an extra layer of dignity and importance to the proceedings. This bill moves things in the wrong direction, and I encourage a “no” vote.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 286, entitled
A bill to amend 1887 PA 128, entitled “An act establishing the minimum ages for contracting marriages; to require a civil license in order to marry and its registration; to provide for the implementation of federal law; and to provide a penalty for the violation of this act,” by amending sections 1, 4, and 6 (MCL 551.101, 551.104, and 551.106).
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows: