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

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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

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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.