Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Marriage Constitutional Amendment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House approves resolution to put marriage definition on Utah ballot; HJR 25 passes 56–16
Summary
The Utah House passed HJR 25 on Feb. 20, 2004, sending to the Senate a joint resolution that would place a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot asking whether marriage should be limited to a union "of a man and a woman." The measure passed the House 56–16 after extended debate.
Representative Leonard Christiansen, the resolution—s sponsor, opened debate on HJR 25, telling the chamber the measure would "place on the ballot this coming November the question for the people of Utah to decide whether the relationship of marriage... should be limited to the union of a man and a woman." He framed the proposal as a foundational, moral and constitutional question, citing federal appellate opinions in his remarks.
Why it matters: Christiansen and supporters said the state should reaffirm a traditional definition of marriage as a matter of constitutional permanency and to limit potential judicial reinterpretation. Opponents argued the measure required more deliberation, questioned placement in Article I (the Declaration of Rights), and pointed to comparative evidence from other democracies where legal recognition of same-sex relationships has not weakened marriage.
On the floor, Representative Daniels urged caution and asked that the Constitutional Revision Commission review the proposed language before sending it to the voters, saying the CRC—s experts could identify internal conflicts and better placement within the Constitution. Representative Farren and others proposed narrower drafting changes intended to avoid sweeping effects on ordinary contractual or property arrangements; Farren said he would support language that prevented the amendment from unintentionally "infringing on rights of conscience." Representative Biskupski countered with international examples and data, saying that "same *** partnerships have reinforced the institution of marriage, not undermined it," and urged colleagues to reject the resolution.
Amendment efforts and procedure: The House considered procedural motions, calls to cut off debate and proposed amendments. Members who pressed for caution focused on process (CRC review) and drafting choices; proponents repeatedly defended the text as the product of national scholarship and committee review.
Final action: After extended debate and final summations, the House voted to approve HJR 25. The Clerk announced HJR 25 had received 56 yes votes and 16 no votes. The resolution will be forwarded to the Senate for further consideration.
What happens next: Because HJR 25 is a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment, approval in both chambers and subsequent placement on the ballot would be required before voters decide. The House forwarded the measure to the Senate following its vote.
