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Utah Senate passes marriage recognition policy after heated debate over explicit phrasing
Summary
The Utah Senate passed First Substitute Senate Bill 24, a marriage recognition policy, after a lengthy floor debate and a failed amendment that would have changed language from “a man and a woman” to explicitly read “1 man and 1 woman.” Supporters said the bill reaffirms state policy; critics warned it could invite litigation.
The Utah Senate on Jan. 30 passed First Substitute Senate Bill 24, the marriage recognition policy sponsored by Senator Butters, after extended debate over an amendment that would have inserted the phrase "1 man and 1 woman" in three places in the bill.
The amendment, offered by Senator Maine, was framed by its proponents as a clarification. Maine argued the change would make the bill "absolutely certain" about the body's position: "I think that this is a very, very important amendment to this piece of legislation. It clarifies and it makes absolutely certain that this body is going on record as…
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