BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 423

By: Guillen

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law grants an officer of a religious organization, a justice of the peace, and almost all federal, state, and county judges the authority to conduct marriage ceremonies. However, municipal judges have not been granted such authority.

H.B. 423 grants the power to conduct a marriage ceremony to a judge of a municipal court.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 423 amends the Family Code to add a judge of a municipal court to the list of persons authorized to conduct a marriage ceremony.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.