Bill > HB1044

This bill expands the list of individuals authorized to conduct marriage ceremonies in Texas by adding several religious leaders to the existing statute. Specifically, the bill now explicitly includes Buddhist monks or priests, Hindu pundits, Muslim imams, and Sikh granthis as official officiants, alongside existing authorized persons such as Christian ministers, Jewish rabbis, and judges. The bill also modifies language about religious organization representatives, removing the specific requirement that such a person must be an "officer" of the organization and instead broadly allowing anyone authorized by a religious organization to conduct marriage ceremonies. The changes will apply only to marriage ceremonies conducted on or after the bill's effective date, which is set for September 1, 2025. By broadening the definition of who can perform marriages, the bill recognizes and provides official standing to a more diverse range of religious leaders, ensuring that members of various faith traditions have equal legal ability to solemnize marriages in Texas.

Budget and Finance

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1044