Same-sex Marriage in Washington - 2012 Same-sex Marriage Bill

2012 Same-sex Marriage Bill

SB 6239, legalizing same-sex marriage and converting most domestic partnerships not dissolved within two years into marriages, was referred to the committee for Government Operations, Tribal Relations and Elections, where it passed on January 26, 2012. Four amendments were introduced by Republican Dan Swecker, and all failed on a party line vote of 3-4. Republican Don Benton asked for a referendum for the November 2012 ballot and the motion failed by a 3-4 vote. On January 26, 2012, the bill was reported out of the committee by a 4-3 vote and was sent to the Senate floor for a full vote. On February 1, 2012, SB 6239, passed the Senate by a vote of 28-21.

The House of Representatives took up the same measure as HB 2516. It was passed out of the Judiciary Committee on January 30 by a 7-6, strict party-line vote. They again voted on the Senate-approved version of the bill on February 6, passing it by a 7-5 vote, with one Republican committee member absent. The bill was sent to the floor of the House, where it was passed on February 8 by a vote of 55-43. The legislation also provided that all domestic partnerships not involving at least one member aged 62 years or older and not dissolved within two years of the date the law goes into effect will automatically become marriages.