Sen. Rapert Circulating Resolution On Same-sex Marriage Ruling (UPDATED)

Sen. Jason Rapert (R-Conway) is circulating an interim resolution to take actions against a judge’s decision to overturn the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.

Rapert released a draft of a resolution that contains 40 legislators in support of his effort to “correct this overreach” of an “erroneous decision” regarding Judge Chris Piazza’s ruling that the state’s same-sex marriage laws were unconstitutional.  He also said via his Twitter feed that he had 46 commitments late Thursday.

Of the 40 lawmakers who have signed on to the resolution, 15 are Republican State Senators, 20 are GOP House members and 5 are Democratic House members. Speaker-designate Rep. Jeremy Gillam (R-Judsonia) is one of the Republican House members in support of the resolution.

“Judge Piazza has overstepped his judicial authority and the Arkansas Legislative Council should take all possible actions to correct this overreach and ensure that this erroneous decision does not negatively impact the state and its citizens,” the resolution states. “Be it further resolved that the Arkansas Legislative Council shall explore legislative remedies to prevent the Arkansas Constitution and the will of the people of this state from being negated by judicial activism which violates the separation of powers ensured in our form of government,” it also says.

Rapert said last weekend that he had been in communication with House members who were interested in potentially impeaching Piazza. Rapert indicated on his Twitter feed that he expected to bring the resolution up for a vote at Friday’s Legislative Council meeting.  Legislative rules may require a two-thirds majority vote of a quorum to be present in order to introduce the resolution at the Council.

Rep. Greg Leding (D-Fayetteville), who is the House Minority Leader, said he will be at Legislative Council on Friday. He cited polling data that shows more tolerance for same-sex marriage in Arkansas.

“As a member of ALC, I’ll be there [Friday]. I’m hopeful the Council will focus on its job at hand and not waste time with political theater,” Leding tells Talk Business & Politics.

You can read the full resolution being floated at this link.

UPDATE:  Rapert failed to get the number of votes needed for consideration of his resolution on Friday.