CARSON CITY — Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons says he would veto a pending legislative proposal aimed at giving same-sex domestic partners the rights and benefits that Nevada offers to married couples.

Asked about the measure now under consideration in the state Senate, the Republican governor says he would reject it if it reaches his desk because, “I just don’t believe in it.”

SB283 was authored by Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, an openly gay state lawmaker who says it was amended to ensure that public employers wouldn’t have be required to provide health care benefits to a staffer’s partner.

However, the bill doesn’t prohibit a public or private employer from voluntarily providing such benefits.