Davis says he'll sign bill extending rights of domestic partners

SACRAMENTO (AP) Gov. Gray Davis announced Saturday that he would sign legislation giving domestic partners most of the same legal rights that married couples have, saying the bill would help ensure ``fairness for all Californians.''

``This bill not only provides additional rights for domestic partners, it also imposes significant new obligations such as shared responsibility for debts and financial support for children,'' Davis said.

``As governor I will continue to do everything within my power to honor the dignity, humanity and privacy of every Californian regardless of their ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender or sexual orientation,'' the governor said.

The bill, by Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg, D-Los Angeles, has passed the Assembly and is scheduled to be considered Monday by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Davis usually doesn't indicate beforehand how he feels about legislation moving toward his desk, but he's announced support for a number of bills recently, including measures dealing with access to abortion and drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants. Aides say the announcements have nothing to do with Davis' efforts to fend off a recall attempt.

The Goldberg bill would, among other things, allow domestic partners to file joint income tax returns and give them the same tax exemptions enjoyed by married couples.

It would also give them the same rights as far as the acquisition, transfer and sharing of property, health insurance and pension coverage and collection of government benefits, including public assistance.

``When this bill is signed it will be a truly historic day for everyone who supports civil rights,'' said Geoffrey Kors, executive director of Equality California, a gay rights group.

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On the Net: Read the bill, AB205, at www.assembly.ca.gov

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)