Bill Sponsors
Representative Susan R. Donovan
Committee
House Special Legislation
Summary
Select
This bill grants special legal permission to Joseph Couto to officiate the marriage ceremony of Brandon Kemmy and Jacqueline Manousos. The wedding is scheduled to take place in the town of Tiverton, Rhode Island, on or around August 2, 2026. This legislation provides the specific authorization required by Rhode Island law for individuals who are not otherwise recognized as authorized officiants to legally solemnize a marriage.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Promotes personal autonomy and individual expression by allowing the couple to choose a meaningful person to officiate their wedding.
- Encourages community and familial participation in significant life events, strengthening social bonds.
- Supports non-traditional approaches to marriage ceremonies, aligning with progressive values of inclusivity and personal freedom.
Cons for Progressives
- Consumes legislative time and resources on a private matter that could be better spent addressing systemic social justice issues or helping the disadvantaged.
- Highlights a bureaucratic system where individuals must seek special legislative approval for a personal choice, representing an unnecessary barrier.
- Fails to address any broader societal issues or provide any public services or safety nets for the community at large.
Pros for Conservatives
- Supports and upholds the traditional institution of marriage by facilitating a wedding ceremony.
- Enhances personal freedom by allowing citizens to make their own choices regarding who officiates their private ceremonies.
- Does not require any taxpayer funding, new taxes, or government spending to implement.
Cons for Conservatives
- Demonstrates unnecessary government overreach and legislative bureaucracy into the private lives of citizens.
- Wastes valuable legislative time and resources on individual matters that should be handled through simple administrative processes.
- Grants special legislative privileges to specific individuals, contradicting the principle of equal application of the law for everyone.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Specific couples getting married
- Specific wedding officiants
Towns Affected
Tiverton
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
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Freedom Impact
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Regulatory
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Environmental Impact
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Privacy Impact
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 05/01/2026 Introduced, referred to House Special Legislation
• 05/08/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/12/2026)
• 05/12/2026 Committee recommends passage
• 05/08/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/12/2026)
• 05/12/2026 Committee recommends passage
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, Joseph Couto may join Brandon Kemmy and Jacqueline Manousos in marriage within the Town of Tiverton, Rhode Island on or about August 2, 2026. Joseph Couto is hereby authorized and empowered to join the foregoing persons in marriage pursuant to and in accordance with Chapter 3 of Title 15 of the General laws, entitled "Solemnization of Marriages."
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.