Gay marriage bill clears Assembly panel

A resolution to abolish Nevada’s ban on gay marriage has passed an Assembly committee.

SRJ13 was approved Thursday by the Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections. Next up is a full vote by the lower house, where passage is expected. It was previously approved by the Senate.

The measure repeals language in the Nevada Constitution that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. The Protection of Marriage Act was ratified by voters in 2002.

But since then public sentiment on same sex marriage has taken a dramatic shift. Polls show a growing number of Nevadans support same sex marriage and some of the state’s largest employers have endorsed the bill.

SJR13 would have to be approved by the 2015 Legislature and voters in 2016 to take effect.