County Supervisor Wants To Be Allowed To Preside Over Marriages

RIVERSIDE (CBS) — Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit wants he and his fellow supervisors to be able say, "you may now kiss the bride."

Benoit will ask his colleagues to endorse SB 991, which seeks to include county supervisors on the list of elected officials who can preside over matrimonial ceremonies.

California law currently allows parsons, rabbis, priests, judges, members of Congress, court commissioners, state legislators, even mayors, to "solemnize" marriages, but not supervisors.

"County supervisors represent large constituencies (that), in some cases, (are) larger in area or population than local congressional or legislative districts," Benoit's resolution states. "County supervisors, not unlike the elected officials currently authorized to solemnize marriages, would welcome being given the authority to solemnize the marriages of constituents, friends and family."

SB 991 is sponsored by Sens. Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster, and Roderick Wright, D-Inglewood, and is awaiting review by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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