NationStates Jolt Archive

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A law passed this year allows Arkansans of any age — even infants — to marry if their parents agree, and the governor may have to call a special session to fix the mistake, lawmakers said Friday.

The legislation was intended to establish 18 as the minimum age to marry but also allow pregnant teenagers to marry with parental consent, bill sponsor Rep. Will Bond said. An extraneous "not" in the bill, however, allows anyone who is not pregnant to marry at any age if the parents allow it.

"It's clearly not the intent to allow 10-year-olds or 11-year-olds to get married," Bond said. "The legislation was screwed up."

The bill reads: "In order for a person who is younger than eighteen (18) years of age and who is not pregnant to obtain a marriage license, the person must provide the county clerk with evidence of parental consent to the marriage."

A code revision commission — which fixes typographical and technical errors in laws — had tried to correct the mistake, but a group of legislators said Friday the commission went beyond its powers.

"You're either pregnant or you're not pregnant," Sen. Dave Bisbee said. "Rarely will that be a typographical error."

The Arkansas Legislative Council asked the independent commission to reverse its correction. Several lawmakers said a special session may be necessary.

"We need a special session to fix this," Sen. Sue Madison said. "I am concerned about pedophiles coming to Arkansas to find parents who are willing to sign a very young child's consent."

Before the new law took effect July 31, girls could get married with parental consent at 16 and boys at 17.

The Legislature formally adjourned its session in May and is not scheduled to meet again until January 2009, unless Gov. Mike Beebe calls a special session. Beebe said he wanted to look at all options for correcting the error before deciding whether to call a special session.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070817/ap_on_re_us/marriage_age_arkansas;_ylt=AkX4vaQZ.ZU.5j3jQ71XbXdH2ocA

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A law passed this year allows Arkansans of any age — even infants — to marry if their parents agree, and the governor may have to call a special session to fix the mistake, lawmakers said Friday.

The legislation was intended to establish 18 as the minimum age to marry but also allow pregnant teenagers to marry with parental consent, bill sponsor Rep. Will Bond said. An extraneous "not" in the bill, however, allows anyone who is not pregnant to marry at any age if the parents allow it.

"It's clearly not the intent to allow 10-year-olds or 11-year-olds to get married," Bond said. "The legislation was screwed up."

The bill reads: "In order for a person who is younger than eighteen (18) years of age and who is not pregnant to obtain a marriage license, the person must provide the county clerk with evidence of parental consent to the marriage."

A code revision commission — which fixes typographical and technical errors in laws — had tried to correct the mistake, but a group of legislators said Friday the commission went beyond its powers.

"You're either pregnant or you're not pregnant," Sen. Dave Bisbee said. "Rarely will that be a typographical error."

The Arkansas Legislative Council asked the independent commission to reverse its correction. Several lawmakers said a special session may be necessary.

"We need a special session to fix this," Sen. Sue Madison said. "I am concerned about pedophiles coming to Arkansas to find parents who are willing to sign a very young child's consent."

Before the new law took effect July 31, girls could get married with parental consent at 16 and boys at 17.

The Legislature formally adjourned its session in May and is not scheduled to meet again until January 2009, unless Gov. Mike Beebe calls a special session. Beebe said he wanted to look at all options for correcting the error before deciding whether to call a special session.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070817/ap_on_re_us/marriage_age_arkansas;_ylt=AkX4vaQZ.ZU.5j3jQ71XbXdH2ocA

Let me guess; as long as they're not teh ebil gays, right? :rolleyes:

We need a special session to fix this," Sen. Sue Madison said. "I am concerned about pedophiles coming to Arkansas to find parents who are willing to sign a very young child's consent."
.

Seems to me we would be better off findng out which parents would marry their children to pedophiles so we can get their kids out of their custody ASAP. :p

Eh. Sounds fine to me. It's not like it allows parents to force marriage on their kids, and toddlers probably aren't going to bring their parents a marriage license to sign for them. :p

"We need a special session to fix this," Sen. Sue Madison said. "I am concerned about pedophiles coming to Arkansas to find parents who are willing to sign a very young child's consent."

Damn, what an idiot. Such faith she has in her constituents. Then again, it is Arkansas...

Hm, Well it looks like they have a new claim of fame besides lots and lots of corn. Ugh.

Hm, Well it looks like they have a new claim of fame besides lots and lots of corn. Ugh.

Corn? Arkansas is all about the rice, as I recall. :p America's Rice Bowl, as the sign says, crossing over the bridge to W. Memphis.

Eh. Sounds fine to me. It's not like it allows parents to force marriage on their kids, and toddlers probably aren't going to bring their parents a marriage license to sign for them. :p

"Do you, Micheal, take Brittney to be your lawfully wedded Wife?"
"gurgle... gu goo... gleeee!"
"Do you, Brittney, take Micheal to be your Lawfully Wedded Husband?"
"Gaga... goo bubububu..."
"By the power invested in me by the State of Arkansas, I now pronouce you Husband and Wife. you may kiss the bride... no kiss... not throw up... and I think the bride needs a diaper change..."

Corn? Arkansas is all about the rice, as I recall. :p America's Rice Bowl, as the sign says, crossing over the bridge to W. Memphis.

Not San Fran Cisco? Bugh whatever... Lots and lots of damn rice.

Kansas > Arkansas.

And Nebraska, while we're at it.

On subject, I can't believe they let that slip through! I'm not one to perpetuate the redneck hillbilly Arkansan stereotype, but sometimes I do wonder...

Isn't arkansas where they tried to pass a law making Pi = 3?

That is just asking for trouble. I mean now the brothers and sisters can marry when they're 11 instead of 17 with 5 kids.

Corn? Arkansas is all about the rice, as I recall. :p America's Rice Bowl, as the sign says, crossing over the bridge to W. Memphis.

Yeah, corn is Iowa.

Isn't arkansas where they tried to pass a law making Pi = 3?

No, I don't think so. Both Alabama and Illinois tried to do so at different points, though.

Isn't arkansas where they tried to pass a law making Pi = 3?

Wrong, it's Alabama and it's not true. (http://www.snopes.com/religion/pi.asp)

Damn, what an idiot. Such faith she has in her constituents. Then again, it is Arkansas...

Precisely. There is no reason at all for an Arkansas politician to have faith in her constituents.

This sort of thing never happened when Clinton was governor...

Isn't arkansas where they tried to pass a law making Pi = 3?
Er, no. That was Indiana (http://www.snopes.com/religion/pi.asp).

Corn? Arkansas is all about the rice, as I recall. :p America's Rice Bowl, as the sign says, crossing over the bridge to W. Memphis.

Rice and chicken.

Yankees, eh? :rolleyes: :D

Not San Fran Cisco? Bugh whatever... Lots and lots of damn rice.

Nope. Cali grows lots of rice- it's 2 million tons annually (http://www.calrice.org/e7b_cas_rice_growing_region.htm) is 2nd to Arkansas' 4 million tons (farmbureauarkansas.com/commodity/ark_ag/promo_pdf/2007_Rice_Promotion_Booklet.pdf), with Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas at 3rd, 4th, and 5th respectively, fill out the "Rice Belt".
But, despite the it's grown in the Sacramento Valley, not SF.

Over 95 percent of the California's rice is grown within 100 miles of the State Capital. For the rural Sacramento Valley communities of Colusa, Butte, Sutter and Yuba counties, rice is the predominant crop and supports an important part of the business and agricultural foundation by providing jobs and economic prosperity.
http://www.calrice.org/e7b_cas_rice_growing_region.htm

BTW, I'm gussing you associate rice with San Francisco due to the old jingle "Rice-A-Roni, The San Francisco treat!" Here's why:

What are the words to the Rice-A-Roni jingle?
Rice-A-Roni, The San Francisco Treat! Rice-A-Roni, Its flavor can't be beat One pan, no boiling, cooking ease A flavor that is sure to please, Rice-A-Roni The San Francisco Treat! Ding! Ding!

Why do people call Rice-A-Roni the San Franciso Treat?
Rice-A-Roni is called “The San Francisco Treat” because the company and the product have their origins there.
http://www.ricearoni.com/rar_faqs/

Isn't arkansas where they tried to pass a law making Pi = 3?

Busted, busted, and... well, B&N tried...

Er, no. That was Indiana (http://www.snopes.com/religion/pi.asp).

LOL
Did you actually read that? A-L-A-B-A-M-A now spells Indiana? :p

Er, no. That was Indiana (http://www.snopes.com/religion/pi.asp).

I stand corrected.

Mind you, I'm sure it didn't happen only because they didn't think of it.

Did you actually read that? A-L-A-B-A-M-A now spells Indiana? :p

No. It was going to, but the bill was defeated in the state senate.

No. It was going to, but the bill was defeated in the state senate.
Still it passed the lower house of the legislature. Alabama and Arkansas never did do that.

This makes arranged marriages easier to force on your kids in Arkansas :p

This makes arranged marriages easier to force on your kids in Arkansas :p

You may ne joking, but I've just realised you're actually right - look at all the marriages forced in Asian communities, passed off as "Arranged" marriages (yes, I know there are legitimate arranged marriages, but there have been too many forced ones too).