Bill > SB973

This bill, titled the "Preservation of Sovereignty and Marriage Act," declares an emergency and aims to prevent the use of state taxpayer funds and governmental salaries for activities related to the licensing or support of same-sex marriage, meaning marriages between two people of the same sex. It prohibits state and local government employees from officially recognizing, granting, or enforcing same-sex marriage licenses while continuing to receive their salaries, pensions, or other benefits funded by taxpayers. The bill also states that no state taxes or public funds should be used to enforce court orders that require the issuance or recognition of same-sex marriage licenses. Furthermore, it mandates that Oklahoma courts must dismiss any legal challenges to this act, awarding costs and attorney fees to the defendants, and prohibits state or local employees from violating or interfering with its implementation. Judges who violate the act are subject to removal from office, and the act asserts its full effectiveness, based on the Eleventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, against any conflicting federal court rulings, with each provision being severable.