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SF3059 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Legislators authority to preform civil marriages clarification

Related bill: HF3163

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to clarify who is authorized to perform civil marriages in Minnesota. It specifically amends the existing statute to explicitly include state legislators among those who can officiate civil marriages.

Main Provisions

  • The bill revises Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 517.04, which outlines who is authorized to perform civil marriages.
  • It confirms that civil marriages can be solemnized by individuals at least 21 years old if they fall under certain categories, such as judges, court administrators, and licensed or ordained ministers.
  • A significant addition in this bill is the inclusion of current members of the Minnesota Senate or House of Representatives as individuals authorized to perform civil marriages.

Significant Changes

  • An explicit clarification is made to allow current state legislators to officiate civil marriages.
  • This development ensures that members of the Minnesota legislature are recognized as official marriage officiants under state law.

Relevant Terms

civil marriages, Minnesota State Legislature, Senate, House of Representatives, officiant, statute amendment, authorized officiants, solemnize marriage

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 26, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 26, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toJudiciary and Public Safety

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section is referenced to define recognized modes for solemnizing civil marriages.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "517.18",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section is referenced to include the Office of Administrative Hearings as a court of record.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "14.48",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

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