North Carolina Senate Bill 514 (2011)

Summary

Senate Bill 514^[1] proposes to amend the North Carolina Constitution to limit the types of domestic unions valid or recognized. It was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly in September, 2011.^[2]. As a result, residents of North Carolina will be voting on the amendment in May, 2012.^[3]

Final voting on SB 514 was as follows. House: 75 Aye, 42 No, 2 NonVote, 1 Excused Absence. Senate: 31 Aye, 16 No, 4 Excused. Ten House Democrats crossed party lines and voted Aye: Brisson, Crawford, Floyd, Goodman, Graham, Hill, McGuirt, Owens, Pierce, Spear. All Senate Democrats who voted, voted No.^[4]

North Carolina is the only US southern state that does not have a constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions.^[5]

Further Information

The bill proposes to add a new section to article XIV, which covers miscellaneous provisions. The sections of the bill are as follows.

Section 1

"Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State. This section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts."

The bill appears to prevent not only same-sex marriages, but civil unions.^[6]

Section 2

Specifies that the amendment shall be submitted to voters, and defines the ballot text.

Section 3

Specifies that a simple majority vote is required for approval.

Sections 4 and 5

Specify that the amendment will become effective when it is certified by the Secretary of State.

References

1. ^ "Senate Bill 514". http://ncleg.net/Sessions/2011/Bills/Senate/PDF/S514v3.pdf. 
2. ^ "GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2011 SB514". NC Legislature. http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/voteHistory/RollCallVoteTranscript.pl?sSession=2011&sChamber=S&RCS=933. Retrieved 14 September 2011. 
3. ^ Charlotte Observer. 13 September 2011. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/09/13/2605141/nc-senate-joins-house-in-backing.html. Retrieved 14 September 2011. 
4. ^ GA, NC. "NCGA". NCGA. NCGA. http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2011&BillID=S514&votesToView=all. Retrieved 14 September 2011. 
5. ^ Sarah, Posner. "Jurist.org". Article. http://jurist.org/paperchase/2011/09/north-carolina-legislature-approves-ballot-measure-to-ban-same-sex-marriage.php. Retrieved 14 September 2011. 
6. ^ Leslie, Laura. "Fact-check: New marriage amendment not "exactly the same" as current law". WRAL. WRAL. http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/blogpost/10121840/. Retrieved 14 September 2011.