Two committees of the Minnesota legislature, one from each house, will consider legislation tomorrow to legalize same-sex marriage in the state. The first, scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m. (Central) is before the state house Civil Law Committee. The committee plans to take testimony until 10 a.m. and may resume consideration of the bill Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m. The second hearing is before the state senate Judiciary Committee. That committee will consider the bill from 12:00 to 2:30 p.m. In the November 2012 election, Minnesota voters defeated a proposed state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and, at the same time, elected Democratic majorities in both state houses. So far, there is one Republican co-sponsor in the state senate.
There may be a vote in each committee tomorrow. If the bill passes in committee, it could then move to the floor for a full vote in each house sometime before adjournment of this session in late May. Democratic Governor Mark Dayton would sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
Live streaming video of the hearings should be available tomorrow. The state house committee hearing (starting 8:15 a.m.) should be here. The state senate committee (starting 12:00 p.m.) should be here.