Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee
HB 1657
Brief Description: Authorizing justices, judges, and judicial officers of federal courts to solemnize marriages.
Sponsors: Representatives Street, Cheney, Simmons, Taylor, Ormsby and Hutchins.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Authorizes federal justices, judges, and judicial officers to solemnize marriages.
Hearing Date: 2/1/23
Staff: John Burzynski (786-7133).
Background:

Washington authorizes several officers and persons, active or retired, to solemnize marriages, including Washington court justices, judges, and commissioners; judges of tribal courts from a federally recognized tribe; and any regularly licensed or ordained minister or any priest, imam, rabbi, or similar official of any religious organization.
Summary of Bill:

Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, and all judges and judicial officers of the federal courts, are authorized to solemnize marriages.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.