A House committee failed to pass a contentious religious liberties measure.

Intro:	A House committee votes down the gay-marriage bill.
RunTime:	0:47
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Emotions ran thick among committee members as they gave their final comments on the resolution before voting it down.

The measure is a proposed constitutional amendment which would allow businesses to refuse service to same-sex couples because of religious objections to gay marriage.

Openly gay Democrat, Representative Mike Colona, told a very personal story on the matter, and urged his fellow lawmakers to put themselves in his shoes.

Actuality:	COLONAA.WAV
Run Time:	00:10
Description: "By our actions it's telling our kids, our grandkids, or brothers and our sisters that we have second class citizens that dont deserve the same rights as us."

The fate of the proposed constitutional amendment is now in the hands of the House bill handler who said he is not sure whether he would pursue a further vote.

Reporting at the state Capitol, I'm Madeline Odle.

Intro:	The marriage to allow refusing services to same-sex marriages was rejected by a House committee.
RunTime:	0:47
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Several committee members still spoke in favor of the measure - which would allow businesses to refuse service to same-sex couples because of religious objections to gay marriage - despite the flood of emotions coming from opposition.

Jackson County Republican, Representative Gary Cross, said he is not concerned with how he looks voting in favor of the resolution, he just wants to be the representative who stands for something.

Actuality:	CROSSA.WAV
Run Time:	00:12
Description: "And many times that's how our characcter is measured, is by how we handle ourselves with people who may not agree with us, and for those of you who don't agree with me, that's okay. I'm not going to walk out of here and hold a grudge."

The House bill handler said he did not yet know if he would continue to seek a vote on the consitutional amendment.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Madeline Odle.

Intro:	A House committee defeated a consitutional amendment to provide protections to businesses who deny service to same-sex marriages because of a religious opposition.
RunTime:	0:50
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: There was not a dry eye in the room as one Republican representative gave an impassioned speech opposing the resolution, right before its final vote.

Representative Jim Hansen said he feels that he already has the freedom to worship the way he wants, and he doesn't need a law passed to make it legal to do so.

Actuality:	MYHERO.WAV
Run Time:	00:21
Description: "You can be a Christian with a big heart or a little heart, and this law to me, is asking me to play God, and I'm not God. I am not God."

Under House rules the House bill handler has until Monday to make a decision on whether to move forward with the resolution.

Reporting live from the state Capitol, I'm Madeline Odle.

Intro:	A House committee voted down a controversial reiligious liberties measure.
RunTime:	1:00
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: More than one committee member gave a personal reason for opposing the proposed constitutional amendment, which would provide protections to businesses who deny service to same-sex marriages because of a religious opposition to gay marriage.

Frankford Republican, Representative Jim Hansen, was in tears as he told the room how this measure would be asking him to judge one sin as greater than another, which he said he could not do in good conscience, or as a good Christian.

Actuality:	LOVE.WAV
Run Time:	00:21
Description: "I have family in this situation...but I love them."

The fate of the resolution is now in the hands of the House bill handler who said he is not sure whether he would pursue a further vote.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Madeline Odle.