INDIANAPOLIS—The GOP-controlled Indiana Senate approved a proposal last week to amend Indiana’s constitution to ban same-sex marriage, but the effort was expected to die in the Democrat-led House.

Sen. Brandt Hershman, the resolution’s sponsor, said Senate passage would give House members a chance to act on the measure if they choose. But a key House committee chairman has said he won’t give the issue a hearing.

The Senate voted 39-9 in favor of the resolution Jan. 30.

Opponents say the amendment is not needed, and some Indiana companies worry that the legislation could jeopardize their ability to offer domestic partner benefits and recruit highly skilled workers.

Rep. Scott Pelath, a Democrat from Michigan City who chairs the House Rules Committee, has said he is not planning a hearing on the issue because it is not a priority this session, which has been dominated by property tax reform plans. House Speaker Patrick Bauer (D-South Bend) has said repeatedly that same-sex marriages are already banned under Indiana law and that he doesn’t know of any gay marriages in the state.