House concurs with Senate edits to marriage amendment, sending constitutional question to voters

The Utah House on March 3, 2004, voted to concur with Senate changes to HJR 25, a proposed constitutional amendment that would define marriage as "the legal union of a man and a woman" and disallow other domestic unions, sending the measure to the November ballot.

Representative David Christiansen, the House sponsor, told colleagues the Senate deletions and wording changes made the amendment "simpler and tighter," and urged the chamber to give the amendment the two-thirds support required to place a constitutional question before voters. "We derive our powers from the consent of the governed," Christiansen said, asking members to allow the public to decide the issue.

Opponents pressed for more deliberation. Representative Litvak moved that the House refuse to concur and send the measure to interim study and the Constitutional Revision Commission; Representative Daniels and others warned that last-minute wording changes merited careful review. Representative Dayton defended the Senate edits, saying they clarified the amendment's intent.

The motion to concur with the Senate amendments carried on a roll call, 58 yes and 14 no. The House clerk recorded the tally and the measure will be returned to the Senate for signatures before being placed on the ballot.

The debate drew visitors to the gallery; Representative Biskupski noted about 200 people were present to hear the discussion, and urged colleagues to respect speakers and audience members. The House proceeded without further amendment to HJR 25.

What happens next: Following the House concurrence and Senate action, the proposed amendment will be submitted to voters this November unless procedural steps in the Senate or at the Secretary of State's office alter the timeline.