SB 14

Under current law, a marriage is validly solemnized and contracted in this state

after a marriage license has been issued and the two parties mutually declare, before

an authorized officiating person and two witnesses, that they take each other as each

other's spouse. The following persons are authorized officiating persons:

1. An ordained member of the clergy.

2. A licentiate of a denominational body or an appointee of a bishop serving as

the regular member of the clergy of any church of the denomination to which the

member of the clergy belongs.

3. The two marrying parties themselves, by mutual declaration that they take

each other as each other's spouse.

4. A judge of a court of record, reserve judge, or municipal judge.

5. A circuit court commissioner.

This bill adds a mej koob, in accordance with traditional Hmong wedding

ceremony customs, to the list of who may officiate at a marriage. A mej koob is an

individual in Hmong culture who negotiates a marriage between the families of the

future bride and groom. A mej koob also conducts the wedding celebration and

ensures that the traditional Hmong cultural customs and rituals are followed during

the celebration.

This bill also specifies that any justice or judge may officiate a wedding,

regardless of whether the justice or judge is of a “court of record.”