Gay marriage in Mobile, Ala., on March 6, 2015

Dozens of people gathered at the Mobile Probate Office on Friday March 6, 2015 to support two gay couples who applied for marriage licenses earlier this week as they requested their licenses. All marriage license windows are currently closed and the couples were told that no licenses are being issued. (Sharon Steinmann/ssteinmann@al.com)

(Sharon Steinmann)

Legislation that would get Alabama get out of the business of issuing marriage licenses passed in the Senate today with little debate.

"Right now, Alabama is in a chaotic state as far as marriage is concerned, bill sponsor Sen. Greg Albritton, R- Bay Minette, said of the genesis of the bill. "You have a federal court that has ruled one way (in terms of same-sex marriage) and a state court that has ruled in another way."

He said the uncertainty over the ability to obtain a marriage license without having to travel to other parts of the state is detrimental to Alabama residents.

Albritton's bill would require couples wanting to be married to enter into a properly executed contract witnessed by two adults. The contract would then be filed in the probate's office.

A marriage ceremony wouldn't be required.

Sen. Bill Holtzclaw, R-Madison, expressed concerns the bill would make it more difficult for military personnel to receive their marriage entitlements.

Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, also spoke out against the bill saying changing the process would only cause more confusion.