SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE March 20, 1996 10:30 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Lyda Green, Chairman Senator Loren Leman, Vice-Chairman Senator Mike Miller MEMBERS ABSENT Senator Johnny Ellis Senator Judy Salo COMMITTEE CALENDAR SENATE BILL NO. 308 "An Act clarifying a statute relating to persons who may legally marry; relating to same-sex marriages; and providing for an effective date." PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION SB 308 - See Senate Health, Education & Social Services minutes dated 3/18/96. WITNESS REGISTER ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 96-21, SIDE A SB 308 PROHIBIT SAME SEX MARRIAGES  Number 001 CHAIRMAN GREEN called the Senate Health, Education and Social Services (HESS) Committee to order at 10:30 a.m. and introduced SB 308 as the first order of business before the committee. SENATOR LEMAN noted that a number of people had been heard on this issue. He conlcuded that SB 308 is important and maintains the status quo in Alaska which he believed the majority of Alaskans support. SB 308 is not gay bashing as some would suggest. Alaska's social policy should not be dictated by as few as three judges in Hawaii. Senator Leman believed that Alaska should support an established social order. He strongly supported SB 308. SENATOR MILLER moved that SB 308 be moved out of committee with individual recommendations. Hearing no objections, it was so ordered. There being no further business before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 10:32 a.m.