Gubernatorial reappointment hearing: Joe McNeal discusses work of the Commission on Human Rights

The Senate State Affairs Committee received testimony from Joe McNeal by phone on a gubernatorial reappointment to the Ottawa Commission on Human Rights. McNeal described his multi-year service on the commission, the body’s adjudicative process and the types of complaints the commission handles.

McNeal said the commission meets “every fourth Thursday at 03:30, either by person or by telecom,” and that members review case reports and then return matters to investigators and the office of the attorney general for follow-up. He told senators the commission has seven investigators; he named the commission president as Bridal Sigelow and vice president as Estella Sumor and referenced an executive director, Ben. McNeal said the commission’s adjudication reduces the number of lawsuits, producing financial savings for the state.

When asked for examples of the types of cases the commission sees, McNeal said they typically fall into categories such as employment discrimination (race, disability and other protected classes) and occasionally more unusual matters. He said the commission most often adjudicates employer-versus-employee discrimination complaints and that his decisions are guided by life experience and “whether it is a violation of state law or federal law.”

Senators also asked a philosophical question about the nature of human rights. McNeal responded that his view is shaped by personal experience living in multiple states and countries and that, in his role, the operative question is whether conduct violates applicable state or federal law.

No committee vote on McNeal’s reappointment occurred during the hearing. Chairman Guthrie said the committee will take up a vote at a future meeting.