A bill that says it is against public policy to recognize legal benefits of nonmarital relationships passed the House Judiciary Committee with a 19-to-1 vote. It says the state won't recognize same-sex marriages in other states. It now heads to the House floor for debate.

Rep. John Graham Altman, R-Charleston, won approval for an amendment that would keep local governments from extending marital benefits to unmarried couples. The amendment also says a marriage is between one man and one woman.

Rep. Todd Rutherford voted against the bill after an amendment he proposed failed. The Columbia Democrat wanted to let local governments offer benefits to both heterosexual and homosexual couples.

Corporations already do that, Rutherford said. "Most of this comes from people wanting to take care of those they love. It's not gay rights; it's just right," he said.

Altman said state laws should be applied uniformly. "Just because you have a good buddy doesn't mean your good buddy should be on your health care plan," he said.

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On the Net:

Gay marriage bill: http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess115-2003-2004/bills/4657.htm