Earlier today, One Iowa informed us about House File 444, which would restrict counties from issuing marriage licenses to any gay or lesbian couple until a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage gets put on the ballot. There appears to be even less support for HF 444 as there was for HJR 11. HJR 11 actually managed to secure 35 co-sponsors -- which is 16 fewer supporters than is needed to pass the House. HF 444 can't even muster that many co-sponsors. It only has 10 Republican sponsors!
Let's assume that HF 444 actually passes. It is clearly unconstitutional. You cannot exclude Iowa's gay and lesbian couples from legally marrying. The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that way nearly four years ago! Like HJR 11, HF 444 will soon die in the legislative funnel.
Updated on 03/07/13: I updated this post to include a link to the actual HF 444. It is worth noting that HF 444 also seeks to prevent the courts -- the Supreme Court, actually -- from prohibiting or ruling against this bill if passed into law. Like that trick ever works.
It is also worth noting that HF 444, if passed into law, would also expire once a constitutional amendment goes on the ballot and gets voted down by Iowa's voters.