House amends and approves $10 marriage‑license fee to support domestic‑violence shelters

The Utah House on March 6 passed HB198, which creates an optional $10 marriage‑license fee to provide ongoing revenue to domestic‑violence shelters, after adopting an amendment to change the mechanism from opt‑out to opt‑in.

Representative Johnson, sponsor of the bill, told the House the fee is designed to send revenue directly to the Division of Child and Family Services and then to 15 shelters statewide. Johnson cited statistics including 2,488 phone calls to shelters in the previous year, 440 total shelter beds and the need to supplement a one‑time state allocation that has not been increased since 1999.

An amendment (Amendment No. 3) was offered to convert the provision from an opt‑out structure to opt‑in—meaning couples would choose to pay the additional $10 rather than be charged automatically. The amendment’s mover said taxpayers should choose to pay instead of being defaulted into the fee; Representative Johnson indicated she would support the amendment if it facilitated passage. The motion to amend passed on a voice vote and the bill was amended accordingly.

Representative Johnson said the fee would be a modest contribution by couples—she noted average wedding costs and argued $10 would not be burdensome—and described the bill as a way to shoulder responsibility for constituents in need. The House approved HB198, as amended, by a roll‑call vote of 47 yes and 24 no; the bill will be transmitted to the Senate.

The transcript indicates the revenues will be routed through state family services to shelters and that there is no state appropriation; it does not include a projected revenue total or schedule for implementation. The bill’s next step is Senate consideration.