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Civil Justice

THIRTY-FIRST MEETING

2009-2010 Regular Session - Monday, February 22, 2010

STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTY-FIRST MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH SESSION

CIVIL JUSTICE POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES



Representative Mullery, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:39 P.M. on Monday, February 22, 2010, in Room 10 of the State Office Building.

The Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members Present:
Mullery, Chair
Kulick Jackson, Vice Chair
Drazkowski, GOP Lead
Champion
Holberg
Johnson
Kelly
Mahoney
Olin
Paymar
Scott
Westrom

Members Excused:
Hilstrom


A quorum was present.

Representative Olin moved approval of the Minutes for February 16, 2010, and February 17, 2010. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Mullery announced that this would be an informational hearing only on the following bills:

HF 999 (Mullery): A bill for an act relating to civil law; providing for civil union relationships; substituting civil union contracts for marriage for purposes of Minnesota law; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 363A.27; 517.01; 517.02; 517.03; 517.07; 517.08; 517.10; 517.101; 517.20; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 517; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 517.04; 517.041; 517.05; 517.06; 517.09; 517.13; 517.14; 517.15; 517.16; 517.18.

HF 1740 (Winkler): A bill for an act relating to marriage; recognizing certain marriages performed in other states; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 517.03, subdivision 1; 517.20

HF 893 (Kahn): A bill for an act relating to marriage; providing for gender-neutral marriage laws; enacting the Marriage and Family Protection Act; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 363A.27; 517.01; 517.03, subdivision 1; 517.08, subdivision 1a; 517.09.

Chair Mullery gave a brief description of HF 999.

Representative Winkler gave a brief description of HF 1740

Representative Kahn gave a brief description of HF 893.

Testifying for the bills:
Ryan and Chris Dolan, St. Paul
Randi, Philip, and Jacob Reitan, Eden Prairie
Polly and Deborah Talen, Minneapolis
The Reverend Douglas Donley, University Baptist Church, Dinkytown
Dale Carpenter, Professor of Law, University of Minnesota

Testifying in opposition to the bills:
Father Michael Becker, Minnesota Catholic Bishops
Teresa Stanton Collett, Professor of Law, University of St. Thomas
Dr. Willard Harley, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, White Bear Lake
David Glesne, Senior Pastor, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fridley
Barb Davis White, Minneapolis

A brief question and answer period followed the testimony.

Chair Mullery announced that the written testimony of Russ Stanton, Inter Faculty Organization, would be entered into the record.


The meeting adjourned at 6:15 P.M.



_________________________________________
Joe Mullery, Chair



_________________________________________
Vickie Benson, Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF893 (Kahn) - Gender-neutral marriage laws provided, and the Marriage and Family Protection Act enacted.
  • HF999 (Mullery) - Civil union relationships provided, and civil union contracts substituted for marriage for purposes of Minnesota law.
  • HF1740 (Winkler) - Marriages performed in other states recognized in Minnesota.
House TV Video:
View Archive

08:10 - Gavel.
10:10 - Overview of HF999 (Mullery) Civil union relationships provided, and civil union contracts substituted for marriage for purposes of Minnesota law.
12:17 - Overview of HF1740 (Winkler) Marriages performed in other states recognized in Minnesota.
16:55 - Overview of HF893 (Kahn) Gender-neutral marriage laws provided, and the Marriage and Family Protection Act enacted.
21:47 - Public testimony on marriage laws/civil unions.
Runs 1 hour, 14 minutes.


*Informational hearing only. The committee will not vote on any bills.