WA People
BILL · 1997–98 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESSB 5398

SB 5398: Institution of marriage

Reaffirming and protecting the institution of marriage.

Summary

  • The Legislature finds that marriage is a matter reserved for the sovereign states to decide individually and that decisions relating to marriage should not be decided by the people or courts of another state. Washington is declared to have a compelling interest in protecting the institution of marriage and preserving marriage as a union between a man and a woman as husband and wife.

From the Substitute Senate Bill Report (SSB 5398), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Vetoed Vetoed by the Governor
  1. IntroducedJan 24, 1997
  2. Out of committee
  3. Passed SenateFeb 12, 1997
  4. Passed HouseFeb 14, 1997
  5. Vetoedstopped here
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Dan Swecker (R-20)
Introduced
January 24, 1997 in the Senate
Last action
February 26, 1997
Versions
SB 5398, ESSB 5398

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Dan Swecker (R-20)

3 co-sponsors (0 Democrats, 3 Republicans)

Joseph Zarelli R-18Bob Oke R-26Ray Schow R-30

Votes

Senate · Final Passage

February 12, 1997
Version voted on: ESSB 5398
33 Yea 15 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat71501
Republican26000
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage

February 14, 1997
Version voted on: ESSB 5398
63 Yea 35 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat83400
Republican55100
How each member voted

Yea (63)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · MOTION BY SENATOR HEAVEY TO LAY THE MOTION BY SENATOR JOHNSON TO PASS THE BILL NOTWITHSTANDING THE GOVERNOR'S VETO ON THE TABLE - FAILED.

February 26, 1997
Version voted on: ESSB 5398
20 Yea 26 Nay 0 Absent 3 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat20003
Republican02600
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

Senate · MOTION BY SENATOR JOHNSON TO PASS THE BILL NOTWITHSTANDING THE GOVERNOR'S VETO - FAILED. FAILED TO RECEIVE 2/3 VOTE OF MEMBERS PRESENT.

February 26, 1997
Version voted on: ESSB 5398
26 Yea 20 Nay 0 Absent 3 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat02003
Republican26000
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

History

The Legislature's online data doesn't include step-by-step history for sessions before 2001. Its final status is shown above, and the official bill page may have more.

SB 5398 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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