MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Constitution

By: Representative Denny

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING TO AMEND THE MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890, BY CREATING A NEW SECTION 263A TO PROVIDE THAT MARRIAGE MAY TAKE PLACE AND MAY BE VALID UNDER THE LAWS OF THIS STATE ONLY BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN; TO PROVIDE THAT A MARRIAGE IN ANOTHER STATE OR FOREIGN JURISDICTION BETWEEN PERSONS OF THE SAME GENDER, REGARDLESS OF WHEN SUCH MARRIAGE TOOK PLACE, MAY NOT BE RECOGNIZED IN THIS STATE AND IS VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE UNDER THE LAWS OF THIS STATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That the following amendment to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 is proposed to the qualified electors of the state:

Amend the Mississippi Constitution of 1890, to create a new Section 263A to read as follows:

"263A. Marriage may take place and may be valid under the laws of this state only between a man and a woman. A marriage in another state or foreign jurisdiction between persons of the same gender, regardless of when such marriage took place, may not be recognized in this state and is void and unenforceable under the laws of this state."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this proposed amendment shall be submitted by the Secretary of State to the qualified electors at an election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November 1996, as provided by Section 273 of the Constitution and by general law.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the explanation of this proposed amendment for the ballot shall read as follows: "This proposed constitutional amendment provides that marriage may take place and may be valid under the laws of this state only between a man and a woman. The amendment also provides that a marriage in another state or foreign jurisdiction between persons of the same gender may not be recognized in this state and is void and unenforceable under the laws of this state."