Action on Marriage in New Hampshire and Maine

The above graphic reflects the reality of the New York Times/CBS poll MadProfessah blogged about earlier in the week. The legislative action on ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage moves to committees in Maine and New Hampshire.

In New Hampshire the State Senate amended the bill that passed the lower House 186-179 a few weeks ago and passed the measure 13-11 on its second reading today. After the third reading, it will go back to the House for concurrence on the amendments, which were (according to activist Lane Hudson):

1. amendment replaces entire bill
2. nothing in amendment takes out gender specific terms in marriage statute
3. section 1 includes new purpose and intent clause that makes clear that all NH citizens have a right to a civil marriage or a religious denomination, and that religion determines who they will marry.
4. each party to a marriage shall be designated as a bride, groom, or spouse.
5. clear now with new language that no one person can be married to more than one person at one time (duh!)
6. Section 2 ensures that the same rules that govern the age in which heteros can enter into marriage apply to same sex marriages
7. Section 3 makes clear that marriage in NH may be solemnized in one of two ways: civil or religious. hetero and homo will have access to both. again, religion determines if they will perform same sex ceremony.
8. section 5 makes clear how the State would address and accept civil unions from other States....they would be accepted as marriages in NH. those who got a civil union in NH would have a choice of pursuing and affirming a new marriage ceremony under this law, but by Jan 1, 2011, it would automatically become a marriage.
9. instructs sec of state and clerks to update their marriage certificates
10. NH Retirement system can interpret new marriage law the same as under the civil union law.
11. Section 9 indicates that if the bill should become effective, then civil union bill is repealed
12. Effective Date is Jan 1 2010.

NH Democratic Governor John Lynch has not indicated he would veto the marriage bill like the two Republican governors who have faced marriage bills previously(Arnold Schwarzenegger of California in 2005 and 2007 and Jim Douglas of Vermont in 2009).

In Maine, the Senate Judiciary committee approved their marriage bill by a 11-2-1 vote and sent it to a floor vote, which should occur within the next 48 hours. Maine's Democratic Governor, John Baldacci has also not stated whether he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk.