BILL NUMBER:  SB 906
  VETOED	DATE: 09/30/2010




To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 906 without my signature.

This measure clarifies that the head of a religious denomination
would not be required to solemnize same sex marriages if performing
such ceremonies would conflict with the person's beliefs.  In
addition, this measure would specify that such refusal would not
affect the tax exempt status of the organization.  Finally, this
measure would add the term "civil" to describe marriages in related
code sections.

I strongly support the rights of same-sex couples to be married.  In
addition, I support the portions of this measure that will preserve
the rights of priests, ministers, rabbis, and other authorized
persons from other religious denominations from having to perform
marriage ceremonies if performing such ceremonies would violate the
person's religious beliefs.  Unfortunately, I cannot sign this bill
due to the extraneous amendments that will change the term "marriage"
to "civil marriage" within the California Family Code.  Proponents
of this bill argue that delineating between civil and religious
marriage in statute will make the codes less confusing.  However, the
Family Code itself does not make a distinction between religious
marriage and civil marriage.  Consequently, inserting the term "civil"
before the word "marriage" without explanation does not make things
any less confusing.  By creating a distinct type of marriage within
the code, I believe this measure undermines the goal of marriage
equality.  Consequently, I am unable to sign this bill.

Sincerely,



Arnold Schwarzenegger