HBA-SEB H.B. 1175 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1175 By: Junell Juvenile Justice and Family Issues 3/8/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the Family Code permits a marriage to take place with one party absent by using a proxy to appear in the marriage ceremony in place of the absent party. The absent person must submit an affidavit which provides specific information about the absent party and appoints an adult to act as proxy. H.B. 1175 eliminates the use of a proxy in a marriage ceremony. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 2.007, Family Code, to delete text providing that an affidavit of an absent applicant for a marriage license must include the appointment of any adult, other than the other applicant, to act as proxy for the purpose of participating in a marriage ceremony if the absent party will be unable to attend the ceremony. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 2.203, Family Code, to delete text authorizing a person unable to appear for the ceremony to assent to marriage by the appearance of a proxy appointed in the affidavit authorized by Subchapter A (Application for Marriage License). Makes a conforming change. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.