"My desire is that we don't encroach on marriage, that it remain pre-eminent," said the bill's sponsor, Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights.

In a 21-7 vote, the Senate passed SB299, which would force Salt Lake City to rename its newly approved registry program but leave its substance intact.

Senate approval came only after lawmakers deleted a provision specifically allowing hospital visitation for registered domestic partners.

For that reason, Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake City, voted against it.

Amendment 3, approved by voters in 2004, "was not a referendum on anything that would improve or affect a gay individual in the state of Utah," McCoy said, arguing that SB299 has nothing to do with marriage.

McCoy, who is openly gay, spoke of an incident in which a close friend was unable to visit her longtime partner in intensive care. The unconscious partner's mother had never approved of the relationship and denied her access.

"The hospital was in a difficult dilemma at that point," McCoy said. "This would be one more tool to help them sort out that situation."

Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, argued that such situations have nothing to do with SB299.

"I believe that could be a problem," Buttars said. "But that's between the mother and the partner."

Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, also opposed the measure, finding it punitive to the city he represents.

"I see an ever-increasing effort to micromanage Salt Lake City," Romero said. "This bill says you can do it, but don't get too close to calling it equal rights."

Contacted Monday afternoon, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker said the bill as approved would have little practical impact, except for requiring a name change.

"If this bill passes as currently written and is signed by the governor, we will find another term [for domestic partnership] and keep the substance of our current registry," Becker said.

The measure now advances to the House for further action.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com