Alabama state capitol tileMONTGOMERY, Ala. -- A state Senate committee on Monday approved a trio of hot-button issue bills related to guns, gay marriage and the removal of Confederate monuments.
The votes came with little debate. However, the bills face a steep uphill climb in the special session to deal with a budget shortfall. Bills outside the governor's call for a special session require a two-thirds vote to win approval.
The Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee approved legislation that would take Alabama probate judges out of the wedding license business following the U.S Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage.
The bill by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Range, would do away with the marriage licenses that are issued by probate judges. Instead, spouses would file a signed marriage contract at probate offices.
Several Alabama probate judges have shut down marriage license operations rather than give licenses to same-sex couples. Albritton said the bill could be a solution to lingering disputes over gay marriage.
The committee also passed a bill to prevent the removal of historic monuments off public property. Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa, proposed the bill not long after Gov. Robert Bentley removed four Confederate flags from Alabama Capitol grounds and others called for the removal of the Confederate monuments that dot the Deep South. However, Allen has said that is not why he introduced the bill.
The committee also approved another bill by Allen to allow the carrying of loaded handguns in cars without a concealed carry permit. Allen has argued that a person's vehicle is an extension of their home.