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Senate Judiciary advances proposed inclusive Equal Rights Amendment (Prop 4) out of committee
Summary
Sen. Ginny Lyons presented Prop 4, an inclusive constitutional equal-rights amendment, and the committee voted 5–0 to report the measure out of the Judiciary Committee to the floor; the committee also agreed to hear additional witnesses before taking other related actions.
Senator Ginny Lyons told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 18 that she is renewing an effort dating to 2016 to place an inclusive Equal Rights Amendment before the state constitution. Lyons said the amendment would "affirm what currently exists in our society" and provide a "constitutional umbrella to protect all of us regardless of who we are," citing protections for groups defined by race, gender, gender identity, religion, ethnicity and disability.
After Lyons’ remarks the committee briefly discussed whether additional witnesses were needed; members said they could hear from anyone necessary but noted the constitutional amendment language cannot be changed in committee. The chair then entertained a motion to report Prop 4 out of committee. A motion to vote was moved and seconded; the clerk called roll. Senators recorded 'Yes' votes in the roll call (Senator Norris, Senator Baruque, Senator Meadows, Senator Bechowski and Senator Hashim) and the chair announced the measure is reported out to the floor with a stated tally of 5–0–0.
The committee indicated it may still hear additional witnesses in a follow-up session, but the immediate procedural outcome was a unanimous committee vote to advance Prop 4.
