 The court held the programs unconstitutional because they denied benefits to people who are precluded, under Alaska's marriage laws, from becoming eligible to receive them.On November 17, 2006, the Alaska House voted 24-10 in favor of legislation ordering a non-binding referendum for a constitutional amendment to deny benefits to the same-sex partners of state employees.On November 20, the Alaska Senate passed the bill in a 12-3 vote.