CARSON CITY — The Assembly Committee on Government Affairs voted to do pass Senate Bill 160, a measure to place the Nevada Equal Rights Commission under the Attorney General's chapter of state law. The committee voted in favor after public testimony and sponsor remarks; the motion to do pass was made by Vice Chair Wynne and seconded by Assemblymember Hunt. Five members—Assemblymembers Kasama, Edgeworth, Gallant, DeLong and Gurr—recorded opposed votes during the voice/hand-raise count; the motion nevertheless carried.

Senator Dina Neal, sponsor of SB 160, told the committee she proposed the move to strengthen enforcement of civil‑rights statutes and to streamline administration and funding. "I have been on a journey for 14 years to try to figure out how to strengthen the Nevada Equal Rights Commission so that citizens feel that their complaint will be heard," Neal said. She said the bill would transfer existing statutory language into the Attorney General's chapter (chapter 228 in the transcript) and that much of the bill is not new language but reorganization of existing provisions under chapters referenced in the hearing transcript (chapter 613 and NRS 118 for housing). Neal also said she removed a new section (section 20) after business‑community concerns.

Opponents from the business community testified in person. Misty Grimmer, representing the Nevada Resort Association, said moving NERC into the Attorney General's Office could "create an imbalanced situation that would disadvantage employers" and that improving NERC's resources might be a better route. Nick Schneider, director of government affairs for the Vegas Chamber, said the change could politicize enforcement because the Attorney General is an elected official and thus subject to political turnover.

Several individual callers and representatives also opposed the bill. Kimberly Fergus said SB 160 would embed diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) principles into law and criticized section 8’s appointment criteria as prioritizing demographic traits over qualifications; Senator Neal responded that section 8 reflects existing law intended to ensure diverse perspectives on the commission. Emily Osterberg, representing the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, said her members were concerned the move could politicize a body that should remain independent and nonpartisan.

Theresa Benitez Thompson, chief of staff to Attorney General Aaron Ford, testified on behalf of the Attorney General's Office in neutral posture, saying the office "sees no issue with taking on the obligation of the Nevada Equal Rights Commission and moving this section under our chapter of NRS 228" if the committee decides to pass the policy.

Neal described fiscal and operational details included in the materials: she said NERC receives roughly $800 per EEOC case closed and around $2,000,000 in general funds to run statewide complaints; she argued those resources could be administered more effectively if placed under the Attorney General's account. The sponsor and opponents disagreed on whether the move would improve enforcement and timeliness; the business groups argued NERC’s procedures and independence should remain intact and that employers could be disadvantaged if investigations were handled differently.

The committee closed the hearing and later took the matter up in a work session, where the committee voted to do pass SB 160 and assigned the floor statement to the chair taking that action. The sponsor said she will continue pursuing civil‑rights legislation regardless of the outcome.

Votes at a glance: Motion to do pass SB 160 carried; motion moved by Vice Chair Wynne and seconded by Assemblymember Hunt. Members recorded opposed: Assemblymembers Kasama, Edgeworth, Gallant, DeLong and Gurr.

Provenance: The hearing on SB 160 began when Senator Dina Neal presented the bill and concluded after public testimony and final remarks; the work session record contains the committee’s motion and the vote.