Joint Resolution is second step in effort to redefine marriage in the Nevada State Constitution

by Brian Bahouth

March 13, 2019

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Carson City – Assembly Joint Resolution 2 from the 2017 session could ultimately change the Nevada Constitution, so there is a three step, five year process for the change to occur, and on March 12, Las Vegas, Democrat, Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui presented the joint resolution with the measure’s co-sponsor Senator David Parks to the Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections.

Hear Assemblywoman Jauregui’s presentation of AJR2.

Hear the introductory remarks from Senator David Parks.

On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage in the Obergefell vs. Hodges case, and since then, according to Assemblywoman Jauregui, Clark and Washoe counties have conducted more than 20,000 same sex marriages combined, which generated more than $1.5 million in local government revenue.

“And keep in mind, the local wedding and resort industry that hosts the weddings, have a much larger revenue gain that isn’t in these numbers,” Jauregui said. “Unfortunately, our state’s Constitution still has outdated language that discriminates against love.”

Section 21 of Article 1 of the Nevada State Constitution currently defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

“Only a marriage between a male and a female person shall be recognized and given effect in this state,” the current Constitution reads, but AJR2(2017) would replace the language with the following.

“The State of Nevada and its political subdivisions shall recognize marriages and issue marriage licenses to couples regardless of gender.” And further, “All legally valid marriages must be treated equally under the law.”

A three step, five year process

Step 1 – passed in 2017 legislative session

Step 2 – passage of the exact same measure in the 2019 legislative session

Step 3 – The resolution would then be on the 2020 statewide ballot, and if the resolution passes a simple majority vote, the language in the Nevada Constitution would be changed.

What follows is an audio catalog of testimony given in support and opposition to AJR2(2017) to the Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections on March 12, 2019. If by chance we misspelled your name, please write us at feedback@nevadacapitalnews.org, and we’ll make the change.