NATCHEZ — The bill to eliminate Mississippi’s three-day waiting period and required blood tests for marriage licenses passed the state senate Tuesday and has been sent to the state house of representatives for consideration.

The bill, authored by Melanie Sojourner, R-Natchez, passed 49-3. Both of Adams County’s senators, Sojourner and Kelvin Butler, D-Magnolia, voted for the measure.

Sojourner previously said that she introduced the measure at the request of a local tourism board as part of its effort to make Natchez a wedding destination. Removing the waiting period would ensure there would be no delays for out-of-town couples that wanted to get married in Natchez, she said.

Mississippi is only one of four states that still require blood tests for syphilis before a marriage license can be granted, and Sojourner said the tests actually end up costing the state money.

The house has not set a date to consider the bill.