BILL REQ. #:  S-0085.1 

Read first time 02/03/2005.   Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

     BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION ASSEMBLED:
     THAT, At the next general election to be held in this state the secretary of state shall submit to the qualified voters of the state for their approval and ratification, or rejection, an amendment to the Constitution of the state of Washington by adding a new Article to read as follows:

     Article ..., section .... MARRIAGE. Recognizing that marriage between persons other than a male and a female has never been authorized or recognized by law in this state, any marriage not otherwise considered valid by an act of the legislature or the people is void and of no legal effect. No court established by this Constitution or by an act of the legislature shall have jurisdiction to hear or determine any claim that a relationship other than that prescribed by the legislature or the people as constituting lawful marriage is entitled to legal status that intends to or does approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effect of marriage, or to the legal incidents thereof, including any marital, spousal, or familial right, benefit, privilege, advantage, or entitlement, or any equivalent thereof, that is authorized or recognized by law, or is paid for, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, with public funds.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall cause notice of this constitutional amendment to be published at least four times during the four weeks next preceding the election in every legal newspaper in the state.