MINUTES OF MEETING

      ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS AND PROCEDURES

 

      Sixty-seventh Session

      April 15, 1993

 

 

 

The Assembly Committee on Elections and Procedures was called to order by Chairman Myrna T. Williams at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, April 15, 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

 

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:

 

      None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AJR 9:      Supports efforts of people of territory of Guam to achieve status of Commonwealth of United States.

 

Assemblyman David Humke, District No. 26, spoke in favor of AJR 9.  He stated Guam was seeking status of a Commonwealth of the United States, the same as Puerto Rico and Northern Mariana Islands.  He further stated Guam was presently a colony with a population of 150,000 people.  Mr. Humke closed his testimony noting he felt AJR 9 was meritorious legislation, and he asked the committee for its support.

 

Assemblyman Joe Dini, District No. 38, declared this legislation came out of the Western Legislative Conference annual meeting in Guam where it was passed unanimously, and he felt the committee should support the legislation.

 

Mrs. Evans asked Mr. Dini what it meant to be a Commonwealth and what difference it would make to Guam.

 

In answering Mrs. Evans, Mr. Dini explained the principal benefit to Guam was regulation of its commerce.  Presently Guam is under federal laws and is told exactly what it can do in developing industry and trade in the open market, he emphasized, and pointed out Guam was very restricted by federal laws.

 

Mr. Dini further explained the legislature in Guam is a small body with only one house which is the Senate.  Half of the island is military bases under control of the military, he said, and noted Guam had only a small section of land which was actually governed by the people of Guam.  Guam wanted its own tax base and the ability to grow, he added.

 

At this time, Mr. Humke reported Guam had asked for small businesses to come to Guam, and companies came from Korea and other parts of the Pacific Rim.  Mr. Humke felt Americans should have pursued opportunities in Guam.  In conclusion he stressed Guam was a very important foothold in the Pacific Rim for American mainland interests.

 

Mr. Bob Erickson, Research Director, Legislative Counsel Bureau, gave a presentation on Guam, pointing out Commonwealth was a better status for the people of Guam than territorial status in the areas of emigration, trade, taxation, shipping, and courts.  He cited an example of local laws which are  interpreted by United States judges who go to Guam.  If Guam had Commonwealth status, Guam would create its own court structure under its own constitution.  Appealed cases would go to the United States Supreme Court.  Guam does not have a state court system.  Mr. Erickson also pointed out in terms of the application of federal law, the United States Government could apply any law to Guam without Guam's consent.  Under Commonwealth status, U. S. laws would not apply without the consent of Guam.  Guam would not have a vote for President and would not have a member of Congress.  Summarizing his testimony, Mr. Erickson said, "Commonwealth status means more home rule and greater independence over internal matters."

 

Mrs. Williams closed the hearing on AJR 9.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN HUMKE MOVED TO DO PASS ON AJR 9.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN DINI SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE MEMBERS PRESENT.  ASSEMBLYMEN PORTER AND SADER WERE ABSENT.

 

Chairman Williams requested committee introduction of BDR 24-878, an act relating to campaign practices reducing the threshold for reporting certain contributions and expenditures, prohibiting a candidate from accepting a campaign contribution from a committee for political action that is not registered with the Secretary of State, clarifying various provisions concerning campaign practices, making various other changes relating to campaign practices, providing penalties, and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN DINI MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL DRAFT REQUEST.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN EVANS SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      MOTION CARRIED.

 

There being no further business to come before committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.

 

      RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

                             

      BOBBIE MIKESELL

      Committee Secretary

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Assembly Committee on Elections and Procedures

APRIL 15, 1993

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