It appears that the Maine Senate will address the same-sex marriage bill today in Augusta.
The bill, L.D. 1020, sponsored by Sen. Dennis Damon, D-Trenton, is on the calendar for today's Senate session, set to begin at 10 a.m. It was unknown from the calendar, released Wednesday evening, if the controversial bill would actually be debated, voted on or possibly tabled with no action at all.
L.D. 1020 was not on the calendar for today's House session.
The Legislature's Judiciary Committee voted overwhelmingly in support of the bill on Tuesday, with 11 members in favor of it, two opposed and one who wants to send the question to voters this November.
The bill received a public hearing last week, with almost 4,000 people in attendance at the Augusta Civic Center. Hundreds of people spoke both for and against the bill at the hearing, which lasted more than 10 hours.
Supporters of the bill portrayed it as a chance to end discrimination against gay and lesbian couples, while opponents saw it as an attack against the institution of marriage.
Observers have said the bill has a tougher shot at passing the Senate, but has broader support in the House. If it passes the Legislature, it needs a signature by Gov. John Baldacci to become law. Baldacci has opposed gay marriage in the past, but has said recently that he is keeping an open mind on the issue.
If the bill becomes law, opponents have said they will pursue a people's veto, to ask voters to overturn it this November on Election Day.
Staff Writer Matt Wickenheiser can be contacted at 791-6316 or at:
mwickenheiser@pressherald.com
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