78S40884 JMM-D

By:  Turner                                                       H.B. No. 75 



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an exception to the 72-hour waiting period for a 
marriage ceremony for certain individuals.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 2.204(b), Family Code, is amended to 
read as follows:    
	(b)  The 72-hour waiting period after issuance of a marriage 
license does not apply to an applicant who:
		(1)  is a member of the armed forces of the United 
States and on active duty; [or]
		(2)  is not a member of the armed forces of the United 
States but performs work for the United States Department of 
Defense as a department employee or under a contract with the 
department; or
		(3)  obtains a written waiver under Subsection (c).                    
	SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies to a 
marriage license issued on or after the effective date of this Act.  
A marriage license issued before the effective date of this Act is 
governed by the law in effect on the date the license was issued, 
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2004.