Bill author Sen. Scott Dibble was all smiles after his bill passed the committee.

Randi Reitan beamed a smile to her gay son Jacob after the bill passed. She, her husband Phil, center, and son Jacob earlier asked the committee to please allow her son Jacob to be able to marry.

With a big bottle of Mountain Dew by his side, committee chair Sen. Ron Latz gaveled the session to order.

Testifiers at the House hearing were limited to two minutes and committee staffer Jay Xiong kept them on track.

Mike Frey testified against same-sex marriage "because of all the diseases that would come out of this."


Glen Stubbe, Star Tribune

Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chair of Carlson Companies testified in favor of the bill and its positive effect on business.