Alaska 32nd Legislature (2021-2022) Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 3 D · 1 I cosponsors

HB 62 — An Act relating to the Legislative Ethics Act; relating to solemnization of marriage; and relating to consent to marriage.

Last action — (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW 11/30/22

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 18, 2021. Enacted.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 82% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 7 sponsors

    1 primary, 6 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (3 D · 1 I) — cross-party backing.

  • Mixed recorded votes

    7 passed, 5 failed in recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

176 added · 53 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest version of HB 62, the requirements for solemnizing a marriage have been relaxed. Specifically, the bill now allows couples to declare their intent in front of just the person officiating the marriage, removing the previous requirement for two witnesses to be present. This change is important as it simplifies the process of getting married, making it more accessible for couples who may not have witnesses readily available at their ceremony.

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Previous
Latest
32-LS0272\A HOUSE BILL NO.
LAWS OF ALASKA Source Chapter No.
62 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY REPRESENTATIVES CLAMAN, Fields, Kreiss-Tomkins, Schrage, Drummond, Ortiz, Josephson Introduced:
SCS CSHB 62(JUD) _______ AN ACT Relating to the Legislative Ethics Act;
2/18/21 Referred:
relating to solemnization of marriage;
State Affairs, Judiciary A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to solemnization of marriage." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
and relating to consent to marriage.
* Section 1.
_______________ BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
THE ACT FOLLOWS ON PAGE 1 Enrolled HB 62 AN ACT Relating to the Legislative Ethics Act;
relating to solemnization of marriage;
and relating to consent to marriage.
_______________ * Section 1.
AS 24.60.030(a) is amended to read:
(a) A legislator or legislative employee may not (1) solicit, agree to accept, or accept a benefit other than official compensation for the performance of public duties;
this paragraph may not be construed to prohibit (A) lawful solicitation for and acceptance of campaign contributions;
(B) [,] solicitation or acceptance of contributions for a charity event, as defined in AS 24.60.080(a)(2)(B);
(C) [, OR] the acceptance of a gift under AS 24.60.075 or 24.60.080;
or (D) a legislator from accepting reasonable, ordinary, and -1- Enrolled HB 62 customary travel and hospitality primarily for the purpose of solemnizing a marriage under AS 25.05.261(a)(4);
(2) use public funds, facilities, equipment, services, or another government asset or resource for a nonlegislative purpose, for involvement in or support of or opposition to partisan political activity, or for the private benefit of the legislator, legislative employee, or another person;
this paragraph does not prohibit (A) limited use of state property and resources for personal purposes if the use does not interfere with the performance of public duties and either the cost or value related to the use is nominal or the legislator or legislative employee reimburses the state for the cost of the use;
(B) the use of mailing lists, computer data, or other information lawfully obtained from a government agency and available to the general public for nonlegislative purposes;
(C) the legislative council, notwithstanding AS 24.05.190, from designating a public facility for use by legislators and legislative employees for health or fitness purposes;
when the council designates a facility to be used by legislators and legislative employees for health or fitness purposes, it shall adopt guidelines governing access to and use of the facility;
the guidelines may establish times in which use of the facility is limited to specific groups;
(D) a legislator from using the legislator's private office in the capital city during a legislative session, and for the 10 days immediately before and the 10 days immediately after a legislative session, for nonlegislative purposes if the use does not interfere with the performance of public duties and if there is no cost to the state for the use of the space and equipment, other than utility costs and minimal wear and tear, or the legislator promptly reimburses the state for the cost;
an office is considered a legislator's private office under this subparagraph if it is the primary space in the capital city reserved for use by the legislator, whether or not it is shared with others;
(E) a legislator from use of legislative employees to prepare and send out seasonal greeting cards;
(F) a legislator from using state resources to transport Enrolled HB 62 -2- computers or other office equipment owned by the legislator but primarily used for a state function;
(G) use by a legislator of photographs of that legislator;
(H) reasonable use of the Internet by a legislator or a legislative employee except if the use is for election campaign purposes;
(I) a legislator or legislative employee from soliciting, accepting, or receiving a gift on behalf of a recognized, nonpolitical charitable organization in a state facility;
(J) a legislator from sending any communication in the form of a newsletter to the legislator's constituents, except a communication expressly advocating the election or defeat of a candidate or a newsletter or material in a newsletter that is clearly only for the private benefit of a legislator or a legislative employee;
or (K) full participation in a charity event approved in advance by the Alaska Legislative Council;
(3) knowingly seek, accept, use, allocate, grant, or award public funds for a purpose other than that approved by law, or make a false statement in connection with a claim, request, or application for compensation, reimbursement, or travel allowances from public funds;
(4) require a legislative employee to perform services for theprivate benefit of the legislator or employee at any time, or allow a legislative employee to perform services for the private benefit of a legislator or employee on government time;
it is not a violation of this paragraph if the services were performed in an unusual or infrequent situation and the person's services were reasonably necessary to permit the legislator or legislative employee to perform official duties;
(5) use or authorize the use of state funds, facilities, equipment, services, or another government asset or resource for the purpose of political fund raising or campaigning;
this paragraph does not prohibit (A) limited use of state property and resources for personal purposes if the use does not interfere with the performance of public duties and either the cost or value related to the use is nominal or the legislator or -3- Enrolled HB 62 legislative employee reimburses the state for the cost of the use;
(B) the use of mailing lists, computer data, or other information lawfully obtained from a government agency and available to the general public for nonlegislative purposes;
(C) storing or maintaining, consistent with (b) of this section, election campaign records in a legislator's office;
(D) a legislator from using the legislator's private office in the capital city during a legislative session, and for the 10 days immediately before and the 10 days immediately after a legislative session, for nonlegislative purposes if the use does not interfere with the performance of public duties and if there is no cost to the state for the use of the space and equipment, other than utility costs and minimal wear and tear, or the legislator promptly reimburses the state for the cost;
an office is considered a legislator's private office under this subparagraph if it is the primary space in the capital city reserved for use by the legislator, whether or not it is shared with others;
or (E) use by a legislator of photographs of that legislator.
Show all 77 changed rows (37 more)
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* Sec.
2.
AS 25.05.171(b) is amended to read:
(b) A superior court judge may grant permission for a person who has reached the age of 16 [14] but is under the age of 18 to marry and may order the licensing officer to issue the license if the judge finds, following a hearing at which the parents and minor are given the opportunity to appear and be heard, that the marriage is in the best interest of the minor, that the other party to the marriage is not more than three years older, and that either (1) the parents have given their consent;
or (2) the parents are (A) arbitrarily and capriciously withholding consent;
(B) absent or otherwise unaccountable;
(C) in disagreement among themselves on the question;
or (D) unfit to decide the matter.
* Sec.
3.
In the solemnization of marriage, no particular form is required except that the parties shall assent or declare in the presence of each other and the person solemnizing the marriage [AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AT LEAST TWO COMPETENT WITNESSES] that they take each other to be husband and wife.
In the solemnization of marriage, no Enrolled HB 62 -4- particular form is required except that the parties shall assent or declare in the presence of each other and the person solemnizing the marriage and in the presence of at least one [TWO] competent witness [WITNESSES] that they take each other to be husband and wife.
The person solemnizing the marriage must be [A COMPETENT WITNESS FOR THIS PURPOSE IS] a person of sound mind capable of understanding the seriousness of the ceremony.
A person is competent to solemnize or witness a marriage if the person is [COMPETENT WITNESS FOR THIS PURPOSE IS A PERSON] of sound mind capable of understanding the seriousness of the ceremony.
The person solemnizing the marriage [AND THE TWO ATTENDING WITNESSES] shall sign the original marriage certificate and the necessary copies.
The person solemnizing the marriage and the [TWO] attending witness [WITNESSES] shall sign the original marriage certificate and the necessary copies.
The witness must be 18 years of age or older.
The witness shall communicate with both parties before or after the ceremony, but before signing the original marriage certificate and the necessary copies, and confirm that each party intends to marry the other party.
The marriage certificate must state that the person solemnizing the marriage and the witness have confirmed with both parties that they are entering the marriage intentionally and in the exercise of each party's own free will.
2.
4.
HB0062a -1- HB 62 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS0272\A Sec.
Sec.
The person solemnizing the marriage shall, on the forms provided by the bureau, complete two short-form certificates [,] and, after that person has [AND THE TWO WITNESSES HAVE] signed them, give one to each of the parties to the marriage.
The person solemnizing the marriage shall, on the forms provided by the bureau, complete two short-form certificates [,] and, after that person and the witness [TWO WITNESSES] have signed them, give one to each of the parties to the marriage.
A church or congregation may design and furnish its own form for this purpose, containing as a minimum the items contained in the form furnished by the bureau.
A church or congregation maysign and furnish its own form for this purpose, containing as a minimum the items contained in the form furnished by the bureau.
3.
5.
AS 25.05.321 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
(b) The person solemnizing the marriage and the witness shall provide their printed names, mailing and electronic mail addresses, and telephone numbers on the forms provided by the bureau or by a church or congregation.
* Sec.
6.
Sec.
-5- Enrolled HB 62 Sec.
A person who solemnizes a marriage without first receiving a proper marriage license from the parties as provided in this chapter or without the parties declaring to take each other as husband and wife [, OR WITHOUT REQUIRING THE PRESENCE OF TWO COMPETENT WITNESSES];
A person who solemnizes a marriage without first receiving a proper marriage license from the parties as provided in this chapter or without the parties declaring to take each other as husband and wife, or without requiring the presence of one [TWO] competent witness [WITNESSES];
4.
7.
AS 25.05.041(a)(3) and 25.05.041(a)(5) are repealed.
AS 25.20.020 is amended to read:
HB 62 -2- HB0062a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
Sec.
25.20.020.
Arrival at majority upon marriage.
A person arrives at the age of majority upon being married according to law [, UNLESS THE PERSON IS UNDER THE MARRIAGEABLE AGE OF CONSENT AS DEFINED IN AS 25.05.171(a), IN WHICH CASE THE PERSON REACHES MAJORITY UPON REACHING THE MARRIAGEABLE AGE OF CONSENT].
* Sec.
8.
AS 25.05.041(a)(3), 25.05.041(a)(5), and 25.05.171(a) are repealed.
Enrolled HB 62 -6-
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How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends various aspects of the Legislative Ethics Act and updates the requirements for solemnization and consent to marriage in Alaska.

  • AS 24.60.030(a)

    the acceptance of a gift under AS 24.60.075 or 24.60.080; or → the acceptance of a gift under AS 24.60.075 or 24.60.080; or a legislator from accepting reasonable, ordinary, and customary travel and hospitality primarily for the purpose of solemnizing a marriage under AS 25.05.261(a)(4);

    Allows legislators to accept travel and hospitality for solemnizing a marriage.

  • AS 25.05.171(b)

    16 [14] → 16

    Increases the minimum age for a judge to grant marriage permission from 14 to 16.

  • AS 25.05.301

    one [TWO] competent witness [WITNESSES] → one competent witness

    Reduces the number of required witnesses for a marriage solemnization from two to one.

  • AS 25.05.321

    and the witness [TWO WITNESSES] → and the witness

    Eliminates the requirement for two witnesses to sign the marriage certificate.

  • AS 25.05.361

    without the presence of one [TWO] competent witness [WITNESSES]; → without the presence of one competent witness;

    Changes the penalty for unlawful solemnization of marriage by reducing the required witnesses from two to one.

  • AS 25.20.020

    according to law [, UNLESS THE PERSON IS UNDER THE MARRIAGEABLE AGE OF CONSENT AS DEFINED IN AS 25.05.171(a), IN WHICH CASE THE PERSON REACHES MAJORITY UPON REACHING THE MARRIAGEABLE AGE OF CONSENT] → according to law

    Removes the exception involving the marriageable age of consent, clarifying that marriage grants majority status.

Action History

  1. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW 11/30/22

  2. (H) LAW W/O GOV SIGNATURE 9/1 CHAPTER 67 SLA 22

  3. (H) 9:40 A.M. 8/9/22 Transmitted to Governor

  4. (H) CONCUR AM OF (S) Y33 N7

  5. (H) CONCUR TAKEN UP UC

  6. (H) LIMIT ALL INTROS TO 3 MIN, DEBATE TO 2 MIN EACH Y36 N4

  7. (H) CONCUR READ AND HELD

  8. (S) VERSION: SCS CSHB 62(JUD)

  9. (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) AS AMENDED

  10. (S) PASSED Y20 N-

  11. (S) READ THE THIRD TIME SCS CSHB 62(JUD)

  12. (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UC

  13. (S) JUD SCS ADOPTED UC

  14. (S) READ THE SECOND TIME

  15. (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/17/2022

  16. (S) FN3: ZERO(DHS/DOH)

  17. (S) AM: KIEHL, SHOWER

  18. (S) NR: HUGHES

  19. (S) DP: HOLLAND, MYERS

  20. (S) JUD RPT SCS(JUD) 2DP 1NR 2AM SAME TITLE

  21. (S) Minutes (SJUD)

  22. (S) Moved SCS CSHB 62(JUD) Out of Committee -- Recessed to a Call of the Chair --

  23. (S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  24. (S) Minutes (SJUD)

  25. (S) Heard & Held

  26. (S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  27. (S) -- Public Testimony -- -- MEETING CANCELED --

  28. (S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  29. (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --

  30. (S) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  31. (S) FN3: ZERO(DHS/DOH)

  32. (S) NR: WILSON, REINBOLD, BEGICH, HUGHES

  33. (S) HSS RPT SCS(HSS) 4NR SAME TITLE

  34. (S) Minutes (SHSS)

  35. (S) Moved SCS CSHB 62(HSS) Out of Committee

  36. (S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  37. (S) Minutes (SHSS)

  38. (S) Heard & Held

  39. (S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  40. (S) Minutes (SHSS)

  41. (S) Heard & Held

  42. (S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 01:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  43. (S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): KIEHL, GRAY-JACKSON, BEGICH

  44. (S) HSS, JUD

  45. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  46. (H) VERSION: CSHB 62(JUD) AM

  47. (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)

  48. (H) COSPONSOR(S): JOSEPHSON

  49. (H) PASSED Y27 N13

  50. (H) MOTION TO RETURN TO SECOND FOR AM 1 WITHDRAWN

  51. (H) AMEND MOTION RETURN TO 2ND FOR ALL AMS FAILED Y11 N29

  52. (H) MOTION TO RETURN TO SECOND FOR AM 1

  53. (H) READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 62(JUD) AM

  54. (H) HELD TO 3/16 CALENDAR

  55. (H) TECHNICAL SESSION 3/11 - ON 3/14 CALENDAR

  56. (H) COSPONSOR(S): DRUMMOND, ORTIZ

  57. (H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 3/11 CALENDAR

  58. (H) ...CHANGES TITLE OF LEGISLATION

  59. (H) AM NO 9 ADOPTED Y33 N3 E4

  60. (H) AM NOS 7 AND 8 NOT OFFERED

  61. (H) AM NO 6 AS AMD FAILED Y17 N19 E4

  62. (H) SUSTAINED RULING OF CHAIR Y21 N14 E4 A1

  63. (H) AM 1 TO AM 6 ADOPTED UC

  64. (H) AM NO 6 OFFERED

  65. (H) AM NO 5 FAILED Y14 N22 E4

  66. (H) AM NO 4 AS AMD FAILED Y15 N21 E4

  67. (H) AM 1 TO AM 4 ADOPTED UC

  68. (H) AM NO 4 OFFERED AND PENDING

  69. (H) AM NO 3 FAILED Y6 N30 E4

  70. (H) AM NO 2 NOT OFFERED

  71. (H) AM NO 1 AS AMD ADOPTED Y33 N3 E4

  72. (H) AM 1 TO AM 1 ADOPTED UC

  73. (H) AM NO 1 OFFERED

  74. (H) JUD CS ADOPTED UC

  75. (H) FN2: ZERO(DHS)(SUBMITTED BY RULES)

  76. (H) READ THE SECOND TIME

  77. (H) RULES TO CALENDAR 3/9/2022

  78. (H) FN1: ZERO(DHS)

  79. (H) DNP: EASTMAN, VANCE, KURKA

  80. (H) DP: DRUMMOND, KREISS-TOMKINS, SNYDER, CLAMAN

  81. (H) JUD RPT CS(JUD) NEW TITLE 4DP 3DNP

  82. (H) Minutes (HJUD)

  83. (H) Moved CSHB 62(JUD) Out of Committee

  84. (H) JUDICIARY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120

  85. (H) Minutes (HJUD)

  86. (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>

  87. (H) JUDICIARY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120

  88. (H) Minutes (HJUD)

  89. (H) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --

  90. (H) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM GRUENBERG 120

  91. (H) Minutes (HJUD)

  92. (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Please Note Time Change --

  93. (H) JUDICIARY at 01:30 PM GRUENBERG 120

  94. (H) COSPONSOR(S): SCHRAGE

  95. (H) FN1: ZERO(DHS)

  96. (H) AM: KAUFMAN

  97. (H) DNP: EASTMAN, VANCE

  98. (H) DP: CLAMAN, STORY, TARR, KREISS-TOMKINS

  99. (H) STA RPT 4DP 2DNP 1AM

  100. (H) Minutes (HSTA)

  101. (H) Moved HB 62 Out of Committee

  102. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM GRUENBERG 120

  103. (H) Minutes (HSTA)

  104. (H) Heard & Held

  105. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM GRUENBERG 120

  106. (H) COSPONSOR(S): KREISS-TOMKINS

  107. (H) Minutes (HSTA)

  108. (H) Heard & Held

  109. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM GRUENBERG 120

  110. (H) -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- -- MEETING CANCELED --

  111. (H) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:00 PM GRUENBERG 120

  112. (H) STA, JUD

  113. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  114. (H) Prefile released 1/15/21

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 6 co-sponsors · 58 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (6)

Not signed on (58)

58 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

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civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 62?
HB 62 is sponsored by Drummond, Matt Claman (D), Zack Fields (D), Kreiss-Tomkins, Calvin Schrage (N), Andy Josephson (D), and Ortiz.
What is the current status of HB 62?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 18, 2021. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 62?
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