Maryland Gov. O'Malley to introduce same-sex marriage bill Monday

Gov. Martin O'Malley is expected Monday to introduce most of his proposed legislation for this year’s General Assembly.

Among the bills the Democratic governor is expected to submit is one to legalize same-sex marriage, an O'Malley spokeswoman said.

Yet lawmakers are expected to take relatively fast action on the governor’s gay-marriage bill that should draw national attention.

Mr. Miller has said the Senate will take up the issue before the House and could move to pass the bill as soon as possible.

The bill is expected to pass the Senate with support from 25 of 47 senators but could have trouble in the 141-member House where it died last year.

Mr. Barve said Democratic leaders are working to gain support for the bill but remain three votes short of a majority.

“I believe we’ll get there, but it’s going to be a tough fight again,” he said.