HB 62-MARRIAGE: WITNESSES/SOLEMNIZATION/CONSENT  1:36:05 PM CHAIR WILSON announced the consideration of CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 62(JUD) am "An Act relating to the Legislative Ethics Act; relating to solemnization of marriage; and relating to consent to marriage." He stated that the intent was to adopt a committee substitute and hold the bill for future consideration. 1:36:30 PM At ease. 1:36:50 PM CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting and solicited a motion. 1:36:55 PM SENATOR COSTELLO moved to adopt the Senate Committee Substitute (SCS) for HB 62, work order 32-LS0272\I, as the working document, and objected for purposes of discussion. 1:37:13 PM CHAIR WILSON explained that the SCS adds two restrictions on unemancipated people ages 16 and 17. He described these restrictions as follow: First, it adds parental consent and they must also receive approval from a superior court judge who determines the marriage is in the minor's best interest. Second, the minor cannot marry someone if they're more than three years older. For example, a 16-year-old can only marry up to a 19-year-old and a 17-year-old can marry up to a 20-year-old. He noted the Legislative Legal Services opinion about unemancipated minors. 1:38:40 PM SENATOR BEGICH offered his understanding that under version I, an emancipated youth would not be restricted to marry. CHAIR WILSON answered that is correct. 1:38:58 PM SENATOR HUGHES joined the committee. SENATOR BEGICH said he appreciated the clarification, because he wanted to ensure that the rights of emancipated youths were protected. 1:39:28 PM At ease. 1:39:54 PM CHAIR WILSON reconvened the meeting. 1:39:56 PM SENATOR COSTELLO stated that emancipated youths are able to enter into contracts and thus are able get married. As written, the SCS doesn't change what is currently allowed, and that is one reason she is opposed to the SCS. She said the legal memorandum dated April 18, 2022 also mentions that the SCS is unnecessary because those minors are already permitted to marry. There are only certain things, such as using alcoholic beverages that an emancipated youth is not able to do. She reiterated that adding the exception for emancipated youth was unnecessary. SENATOR COSTELLO stated that she was maintaining her objection to adopting the SCS. 1:40:59 PM SENATOR REINBOLD asked how this version would affect a 17-year- old's ability to marry even if she was not emancipated. CHAIR WILSON stated that under version I, a 17-year-old would be able to marry if they had parental consent, approval from a superior court judge, and the spouse was not more than 3 years older. CHAIR WILSON extended the amendment deadline until Monday the 25th. 1:42:40 PM CHAIR WILSON asked for a roll call vote on adopting the SCS, version I. 1:42:51 PM A roll call vote was taken. Senators Begich, Hughes and Wilson voted in favor of the motion to adopt SCS CSHB 62, work order 32-LS0272\I, and Senators Costello and Reinbold voted against it. Therefore, the motion to adopt the SCS for HB 62 passed on a 3:2 vote. 1:43:06 PM CHAIR WILSON announced that the SCS for HB 62, version I, was adopted as the working document on a 3:2 vote. 1:43:16 PM CHAIR WILSON held HB 62 in committee.