LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have declined to override Gov. Pete Ricketts’ veto of a bill that would have required gender-neutral language on marriage applications, licenses and certificates.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, of Omaha, filed a motion to override the veto Friday but withdrew it later after expressing disappointment over how her measure was handled. Cavanaugh says she was never told about the governor’s concerns.
Cavanaugh’s bill would have required marriage forms to use the words “Applicant 1” and “Applicant 2″ for the two people getting married.
Nebraska’s current marriage application form uses “Groom/Party A” and “Bride/Party B.” Marriage license and certificate forms use “Groom” and “Bride.”
Ricketts says he directed the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to change all documents to read, “Groom/Party A” and “Bride/Party B.”
