Marriage.

Existing law defines marriage as a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between a man and a woman, to which the consent of the parties capable of making that contract is necessary. This bill would instead define the term civil marriage as a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between a man and a woman, established pursuant to a State of California marriage license issued by the county clerk, to which the consent of the parties capable of making that contract is necessary. The bill would also make conforming related changes by changing certain references to marriage to civil marriage. Existing law enumerates persons who are authorized to solemnize a marriage, including, but not limited to, any priest, minister, rabbi, or authorized person of any religious denomination. The bill would specify that no priest, minister, rabbi, or authorized person of any religious denomination, or his or her religious denomination, would be required to solemnize a marriage that is contrary to the tenets of his, her, or its faith. The bill would state that any refusal to solemnize a marriage under that provision shall not affect the tax exempt status of any entity.