Bill Text: TX HB4105 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Comm Sub


Bill Title: Relating to the issuance, enforcement, and recognition of marriage licenses and declarations of informal marriage.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 89-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-05-12 - Placed on General State Calendar [HB4105 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB4105-Comm_Sub.html
  84R28212 SCL-D
 
  By: Bell, Fletcher, Springer, et al. H.B. No. 4105
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 4105:
 
  By:  Cook C.S.H.B. No. 4105
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the issuance, enforcement, and recognition of marriage
  licenses and declarations of informal marriage.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  This Act may be cited as the Preservation of
  Sovereignty and Marriage Act.
         SECTION 2.  The purpose of this Act is to affirm that the
  definition and regulation of marriage is within the sole authority
  and realm of the separate states and the people within those states.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter B, Chapter 1, Family Code, is amended
  by adding Section 1.109 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1.109.  CERTAIN MARRIAGE LICENSES AND DECLARATIONS OF
  INFORMAL MARRIAGE PROHIBITED. (a) This state or a political
  subdivision of this state may not use any funds to issue, enforce,
  or recognize a marriage license or declaration of informal marriage
  for a union other than a union between one man and one woman.
         (b)  An employee or official of this state or a political
  subdivision of this state may not issue, enforce, or recognize a
  marriage license or declaration of informal marriage for a union
  other than a union between one man and one woman.
         (c)  This state or a political subdivision of this state may
  not use any funds to enforce an order requiring the issuance,
  enforcement, or recognition of a marriage license or declaration of
  informal marriage for a union other than a union between one man and
  one woman.
         SECTION 4.  Section 194.001, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  A county clerk may not file, and the vital statistics
  unit may not enter into the vital statistics system, a document copy
  described by Subsection (a) or (b) that is associated with a union
  other than a union between one man and one woman. If the vital
  statistics unit determines that the document copy is associated
  with a union other than a union between one man and one woman, the
  vital statistics unit shall provide the document copy to the
  attorney general.
         SECTION 5.  Section 118.018, Local Government Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
         (d)  If a state agency determines that a marriage license fee
  was collected for a marriage license that is associated with a union
  other than a union between one man and one woman, the county clerk
  shall remit $30 to the comptroller. The comptroller shall deposit
  funds remitted under this subsection into the general revenue fund.
         SECTION 6.  Section 118.019, Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 118.019.  DECLARATION OF INFORMAL MARRIAGE. (a) The
  fee for "Declaration of Informal Marriage" under Section 118.011 is
  for all services rendered in connection with the execution of a
  declaration of informal marriage under Section 2.402 [1.92], Family
  Code. The fee shall be collected at the time the service is
  rendered.
         (b)  If a state agency determines that a declaration of
  informal marriage fee was collected for a declaration of informal
  marriage that is associated with a union other than a union between
  one man and one woman, the county clerk shall remit $12.50 to the
  comptroller. The comptroller shall deposit funds remitted under
  this subsection into the general revenue fund.
         SECTION 7.  Except as otherwise provided by this section,
  Section 194.001(c), Health and Safety Code, and Sections 118.018(d)
  and 118.019(b), Local Government Code, as added by this Act, apply
  only to a marriage license issued or declaration of informal
  marriage recorded on or after the effective date of this Act. If
  this Act takes effect before June 1, 2015, Section 194.001(c),
  Health and Safety Code, and Sections 118.018(d) and 118.019(b),
  Local Government Code, as added by this Act, do not apply to a
  marriage license issued or declaration of informal marriage
  recorded before that date.
         SECTION 8.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
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