Nevada Legislature Approves Domestic Partners Bill, Gov Promises To Veto

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons has promised to veto the domestic partners bill passed by that state's legislature on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 283, sponsored by state Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, would allow domestic partners, including same-sex partners, equal rights with married couples on issues such as estate planning, medical decisions, community property and children if they enter into a civil contract and obtain a Certificate of Registered Domestic Partnership from the secretary of state. The bill had passed the Senate and Assembly, but the Senate had to vote Tuesday on an amendment attached in the Assembly. Senators did so with a majority voice vote. Gibbons spokesman Daniel Burns said the governor has several reasons for his veto. "The governor believes that government has no business in your medicine chest or your bedroom," Burns said. "He also believes there are existing contracts that can be created, so no change to the law is needed. If there are people who want to be domestic partners, they can do so under existing laws. "He is also mindful of the fact that voters of this state on two occasions have said that marriage is between a man and a woman, and it's part of our Constitution."

The state Senate is thought to have to votes to override Gibbons' veto.