Ark. to Ban
Domestic-Partner Registries?

A bill to ban domestic-partnership registries for gay and straight couples was among the deluge of proposals filed in Arkansas on Monday, the last day state lawmakers could file bills for the current legislative session.

Rep. Bryan King , the Republican house minority leader, filed the bill, which would prohibit any county or city in the state from creating a registry that "recognizes a domestic-partner relationship not recognized by the Arkansas constitution, Amendment 83."

Amendment 83, which was approved by 75% of voters in 2004, defines marriage as a union of one man and one woman, and outlaws civil unions.

King represents a district in the northwest of Arkansas that includes Eureka Springs , where the city council approved a domestic-partnership registry in 2007 as a way to circumvent Amendment 83.

King's bill has been referred to the house committee on city, county, and local affairs. The committee membership includes Rep. Kathy Webb, a Democrat, who is the only openly gay member of the Arkansas state legislature.