MINUTES OF MEETING
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS AND PROCEDURES
Sixty-seventh Session
January 19, 1993
The Assembly Committee on Elections and Procedures was called to order by Chairman Myrna T. Williams at 3:35 p.m., Tuesday, January 19, 1993, in Room 331 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda, Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mrs. Myrna T. Williams, Chairman
Mr. Robert E. Price, Vice Chairman
Mr. Joseph E. Dini, Jr.
Mrs. Jan Evans
Mr. Val Z. Garner
Mr. David E. Humke
Mrs. Joan A. Lambert
Mr. William A. Petrak
Mr. Scott Scherer
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mr. Gene T. Porter (Excused)
Mr. Robert M. Sader (Excused)
GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:
None
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mr. Robert Erickson/Research Director, Legislative Counsel Bureau
Mr. John R. Crossley/Director, Legislative Counsel Bureau
OTHERS PRESENT:
See Exhibit B
Mrs. Williams asked that Mr. Sader and Mr. Porter be marked excused from the meeting.
Mrs. Williams requested the Standing Rules for the Committee on Elections and Procedures (Exhibit C) be changed to reflect the committee number of 11 members, and therefore a quorum would be a simple majority of six members. A two-thirds majority would be eight members of the committee. Therefore, items 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Standing Rules should be changed to reflect these numbers.
Mrs. Lambert called attention to Item 15 of Exhibit C wherein the name of the committee was listed as the Assembly Committee on Legislative Functions and Elections. Mrs. Williams acknowledged this was from the 66th Session and the committee name should be "Elections and Procedures."
ASSEMBLYMAN DINI MOVED THE STANDING RULES BE CORRECTED AS STATED.
ASSEMBLYMAN EVANS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mrs. Williams introduced Mr. John R. Crossley, Director, Legislative Counsel Bureau, and Mr. Robert Erickson, Research Division Director and Staff Member of the Assembly Committee on Elections and Procedures.
Mr. Crossley emphasized the importance of the Elections and Procedures Committee and its counterpart in the Senate to the Legislative Counsel Bureau. He noted the Legislative Counsel Bureau monitored the actions of the other committees and would keep the Elections and Procedures Committee informed to enable the committee to understand what the Legislative Counsel Bureau is doing.
Mr. Crossley stated in the last two or three sessions some questions had arisen about cost. The Legislative Counsel Bureau developed a timekeeping system to keep better records of hours spent on interim studies at the state, city and county levels and on the cost of bill drafting which had been of some concern to the Elections and Procedures Committee. Mr. Crossley commented the Legislative Counsel Bureau was also receiving better information on the printing cost which had been another concern of the committee. Mr. Crossley mentioned his staff had been working between legislative sessions to ensure his staff would have better information for the committees when needed.
Mr. Crossley informed the committee he planned to attend as many meetings as possible, and Mr. Erickson would attend all meetings providing requested and necessary information.
Mrs. Williams complimented Mr. Crossley and Mr. Erickson on their value to the Committee.
Mrs. Evans commented a number of people had approached her on the subject of terminology used for the "recess" or "adjournment period" meaning the two week period during the fourth and fifth weeks of the session for hearings in Southern Nevada.
Mr. Crossley stated the bureau would be receptive to another name and he would talk to counsel.
Mr. Erickson elaborated on the Issue Brief, "Legislative Functions and Elections" (Exhibit D). Mr. Erickson explained Exhibit D was named "Legislative Functions and Elections" since it was more of a summary of what the present Elections and Procedures Committee did last session. Mr. Erickson summarized Exhibit D noting the committee dealt with 46 bills, half of which were approved. Topics dealt with included ethics in government, election campaign reform, general election matters, matters pertaining to the Legislature and redistricting. Other matters which could come before the committee would propose amendments to the Constitution, urging the Congress or President to take certain actions or create certain interim studies.
Mr. Erickson then proceeded to call attention to Pages 9, 9A, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Exhibit D.
Mrs. Williams noted prior to the last election, Nevada ranked 49th in terms of registered voters in the United States. At the last election, Nevada moved up to 45th place as a result of some measures taken in the last session.
Mrs. Williams stated this meeting was called for the purpose of adopting the Committee Rules and providing an orientation and overview of the committee. She commented the committee would not be taking testimony on bills since it would not be in line with the notification rules of the Assembly.
Mrs. Williams requested committee introduction of BDR 24-210, BDR C-345, BDR 23-544, and BDR 24-572.
BDR 24-210 - Relating to elections allowing the County Clerk of certain counties to appoint a high school pupil to act as a trainee for the position of election board officer; establishing qualifications for such trainee; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
BDR C-345 - Assembly Joint Resolution proposing to amend the constitution of the State of Nevada to require that a petition for the recall of a public officer contain the signatures of a certain number of registered voters.
BDR 23-544 - An act relating to ethics in government; revising the definition of "candidate" and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
BDR 24-572 - Relating to elections; requiring that a candidate for a nonpartisan office who receives a majority of the votes cast that office in a primary election be declared elected and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
ASSEMBLYMAN DINI MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF
BDR 24-210, BDR C-345, BDR 23-544, AND BDR 24-572.
ASSEMBLYMAN GARNER SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
There being no further business to come before committee, the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
BOBBIE A. MIKESELL
Committee Secretary
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Assembly Committee on Elections and Procedures
January 19, 1993
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