HB130 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim HillRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Marriages, persons authorized to solemnize marriage not required to perform solemnize marriage, Sec. 30-1-7 am'd.

Summary

HB130 clarifies that people authorized to solemnize marriages in Alabama are not required to perform a marriage ceremony.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 30-1-7 to explicitly state that those authorized or permitted to solemnize marriages are not required to solemnize a marriage for any person. It also preserves the existing list of who may solemnize marriages (ministers, judges, pastors, etc.) and the related roles of religious societies and their record-keepers. In short, it codifies that there is no mandatory duty to perform a wedding ceremonial even for those who have authorization.

Who It Affects

• Officials authorized or permitted to solemnize marriages (e.g., licensed ministers, active or retired judges, pastors) - they are explicitly not required to solemnize a marriage for anyone.
• Religious societies and their officers who maintain marriage records (e.g., clerks, keepers of minutes) - their ability to solemnize remains as defined, but the law clarifies there is no obligation to perform ceremonies.

Key Provisions

• Adds a clause to Section 30-1-7 stating that any person authorized or permitted to solemnize marriages under Alabama law is not required to solemnize a marriage for any person.
• Retains and clarifies the existing authority structure for who may solemnize marriages (ministers, judges, pastors, etc.) and the related record-keeping provisions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Marriage