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House committee hears bill to allow virtual solemnizations for deployed service members
Summary
Rep. Mari Watanabe sponsored HB 4,152 to allow virtual marriage solemnizations for deployed service members; Multnomah County Judge Shappan Silapasai testified that the change would amend ORS 106 and recounted a Valentine’s‑Day courthouse closure that prevented a deployment‑era marriage.
Representative Mari Watanabe, sponsor of House Bill 4,152, told the House Committee on Emergency Management and Veterans that the bill would allow service members who cannot reach their county courthouse because of active service to be married virtually. "This bill is a simple bill that will bring happiness to our service members that want to get married before they are deployed," Watanabe said.
Judge Shappan Silapasai of the Multnomah County Courthouse testified in support and said the bill would amend the underlying marriage statute (ORS section 106) to allow solemnizations for deployed service members. She recounted that a courthouse closure during an ice storm near Valentine’s Day prevented a military service member from marrying before deployment and described the resulting uncertainty for benefits and protective rights for spouses and children.
Judge Silapasai said judges already verify identities virtually in criminal cases and that the judicial system has processes to confirm participants’ identities remotely. The judge characterized the bill as a narrowly tailored fix to address emergency access to marriage solemnizations for service members unable to appear in person.
The chair closed the public hearing on HB 4,152 after members had no further questions.
