BILL REQ. #:  S-0535.1 

Read first time 02/09/2005.   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 .... Only a union between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized in Washington state. Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized in Washington state. The uniting of two persons other than a male and a female in any marital or quasi-marital relationship or spousal or quasi-spousal relationship, including any civil union, domestic partnership, or other similar relationship, is not valid in this state, and, although valid in another state or jurisdiction, is not recognized as valid in this state and is void and unenforceable under the laws of this state. The legislature may provide for such restrictions or sanctions on marriage related to age or degree of kinship as it deems necessary.

     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.