Bill Sponsors
Felag, Lauria, Ujifusa, and DiPalma
Committee
Senate Judiciary
Summary
Select
This bill allows Joseph Couto to legally officiate the marriage of Brandon Kemmy and Jacqueline Manousos. The wedding is scheduled to take place in Tiverton, Rhode Island, on or around August 2, 2026.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Supports personal freedom and autonomy by allowing the couple to choose a meaningful friend or family member to officiate their significant life event.
- Removes bureaucratic barriers to marriage for this specific couple, promoting inclusivity and flexibility in civic traditions.
- Encourages community participation by allowing an everyday citizen to take part in a meaningful social and legal ritual.
Cons for Progressives
- Fails to provide systemic reform, as it only grants this right to one specific group rather than making it easier for all citizens to choose their officiant.
- Requires a cumbersome and privileged legislative process that is largely inaccessible to disadvantaged or lower-income individuals who cannot easily lobby for a personalized bill.
- Utilizes valuable legislative time and taxpayer resources on a single private event rather than focusing on broader public services or strengthening the social safety net.
Pros for Conservatives
- Promotes individual liberty by allowing private citizens to choose exactly who they want to officiate their wedding ceremony.
- Supports and celebrates the traditional institution of marriage by facilitating a wedding ceremony for the couple.
- Bypasses strict government licensing restrictions for officiants, allowing a private citizen to perform the duty without permanent government regulation or oversight.
Cons for Conservatives
- Represents a highly inefficient use of government time and taxpayer resources to pass state-level legislation for a single, private event.
- Creates a special exception to established laws regarding who is authorized to solemnize marriages, potentially undermining the uniform rule of law.
- Involves the state legislature in a highly personal and private matter that should ideally not require government intervention or special permission.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Joseph Couto
- Brandon Kemmy
- Jacqueline Manousos
Towns Affected
Tiverton
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
Importance
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Freedom Impact
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Public Services
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Regulatory
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Clarity of Bill Language
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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
• 05/15/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
• 05/15/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/19/2026)
• 05/19/2026 Committee recommends passage
• 05/20/2026 Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (05/21/2026)
• 05/21/2026 Senate read and passed
• 05/22/2026 Referred to House Special Legislation
• 05/22/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/28/2026)
• 05/15/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/19/2026)
• 05/19/2026 Committee recommends passage
• 05/20/2026 Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (05/21/2026)
• 05/21/2026 Senate read and passed
• 05/22/2026 Referred to House Special Legislation
• 05/22/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/28/2026)
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.