East says Tallapoosa County probate office will abide by what legislature decides on marriage licenses

Cliff Williams / The Outlook Tallapoosa County Probate Judge Tal East, right, said he will abide by whatever the Alabama Legislature decides on issuing marriage licenses. The county made $17,000 on 242 marriage licenses last year.

The Alabama Legislature may acquiesce to conservative judges who don’t want to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples based on religious beliefs but Tallapoosa County Probate Judge Tal East said he will abide by state law.

The Alabama Senate voted 26-0 last week to approve a bill eliminating marriage licenses signed by probate judges and the Alabama House of Representatives will now consider the bill.