5336-S AMH SCHI TANG 055

SSB 5336 - H AMD 659

By Representative Schindler

WITHDRAWN 4/10/2007

   On page 2, line 23, after "Washington." insert the following:

   "The legislature has declared that this state has a compelling state interest in reaffirming its historical commitment to the institution of marriage as a union between a man and a woman as husband and wife and in protecting that institution. The legislature has further declared its intent to establish public policy against same-sex marriage in statutory law that clearly and definitively declares same-sex marriages will not be recognized in Washington, even if they are made legal in other states. The legislature has enacted statutory law that prohibits marriages when the parties are persons other than a male and a female and provides that marriages between two persons other than a male and a female that are recognized as valid in another jurisdiction are not valid in this state. This act shall not be construed to endorse any specific belief, practice, behavior, or orientation. Nothing in this act is intended to or shall be construed to promote or endorse same-sex marriage or to modify or supersede state law related to marriage."

EFFECT: Adds language to the intent section specifying the state has a compelling interest in reaffirming its commitment to the institution of marriage, and providing that nothing in the act is intended to promote or endorse any specific belief, practice or behavior, or to endorse same-sex marriage or modify state marriage laws.