MINUTES OF MEETING

      ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

 

      Sixty-seventh Session

      April 29, 1993

 

 

 

The Assembly Committee on Government Affairs was called to order by Chairman Val Z. Garner at 8:20 a.m., April 29, 1993, in Room 330 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada.  Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda.  Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

      Mr. Val Z. Garner, Chairman

      Mr. Rick C. Bennett, Vice Chairman

      Mrs. Kathy M. Augustine

      Mr. Douglas A. Bache

      Mrs. Marcia de Braga

      Mr. Pete Ernaut

      Mrs. Vivian L. Freeman

      Mr. Lynn Hettrick

      Mrs. Erin Kenny

      Mrs. Joan A. Lambert

      Mr. James W. McGaughey

      Mr. Roy Neighbors

      Mrs. Gene W. Segerblom

      Mr. Wendell P. Williams

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

 

      None

 

GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:

 

      Senator Thomas Hickey

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

      Ms. Dana Bennett, Research Analyst

      Mr. Fred Welden, Chief Deputy Research Division

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

      Mr. Dick Gleed, Coalition for Collective Bargaining; Mr. Walter Tarantino, Attorney at Law; Mr. Robert Gagnier, State of Nevada Employees Association (SNEA); Mr. John Richardson, Administrator of Division of State Parks; Mr. Steve Weaver, Chief of Planning and Development, Division of State Parks; Mr. Mike Alastuey, Clark County School District.

Assembly Bill 517 -     Allow employee to be represented at certain hearings before personnel commission by person of his own choosing.

 

Chairman Garner reminded the committee the bill had been previously discussed. 

 

Mr. Dick Gleed, Coalition for Collective Bargaining, presented AB 517 to the committee and introduced Mr. Walter Tarantino, Attorney at Law.  Mr. Gleed expressed appreciation to the committee for its quick action on developing this legislation. 

Mr. Tarantino testified in support of AB 517 and the amendment to be presented by Mr. Bob Gagnier.  He explained the purposes of the bill.

 

Ms. Kenny questioned whether a lay person representing an employee would be covered by malpractice insurance.  Mr. Tarantino responded they would not; however, the employee could seek judiciary review if there was a problem at the hearing.  At that time, it would be necessary for the employee to hire an attorney.

 

Mr. Robert Gagnier, SNEA, distributed Exhibit C, the proposed amendment to AB 517, and gave testimony in support of his position.  According to Mr. Gagnier, the Attorney General's office had recently proposed employees could only be represented by an attorney.  The intent of this bill was preventative. 

 

Ms. Segerblom inquired if the Employee Management Committee (EMC) did not rule in favor of the employee, would the employee then hire an attorney and go to court.  Mr. Gagnier responded this was always an option.

 

Mr. Glenn Rock, Director, Department of Personnel, came forward to speak in support of the bill and the amendment.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN BACHE MOVED AMEND AND DO PASS ON AB 517.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN HETTRICK SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION CARRIED.  (ASSEMBLYMAN LAMBERT VOTED NO.)

 

Senate Concurrent Resolution 14 -      Directs Division of State Parks of State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to assist persons and organizations interested in establishing nonprofit foundation for state parks.

 

Senator Thomas Hickey provided the committee with the history of SCR 14 and urged passage of the resolution.  Senator Hickey called the committee's attention to Exhibit D (on file in the Research Library).  He announced to the committee Mr. Fred Welden and Mr. John Richardson would be testifying and answering questions on the state parks bills.

 

Mr. Fred Welden, Chief Deputy Research Division, distributed Exhibit E to the committee.  He explained the purposes of the resolution to the committee.

 

Mr. McGaughey inquired whether there was the possibility of more than one foundation being established under this resolution or would there be an umbrella of one foundation.  Mr. Welden responded it was his understanding there would be an umbrella situation.  Mr. Mcgaughey asked Mr. Welden for a generalized explanation regarding the establishment of the foundation.  Mr. Welden provided the requested information for the committee.

 

Mr. John Richardson, Administrator of Division of State Parks, further defined the development of the foundations and how success would be achieved.

 

Chairman Garner commented he believed the resolution was an excellent vehicle for addressing alternative ways to raise money for state parks.

 

Mr. Hettrick introduced the Douglas High School visiting law class attending the committee meeting.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN MCGAUGHEY MOVED TO ADOPT SCR 14.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN SEGERBLOM SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

Senate Concurrent Resolution 15 -      Directs Division of State Parks of State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to establish plans relating to state parks.

 

Mr. Fred Welden, Chief Deputy Research Division, distributed Exhibit F to the committee and explained the purposes of the resolution.

 

Mr. Steve Weaver, Chief of Planning and Development, Division of State Parks, came forward to express support for SCR 15.  He called attention to ambiguity between parts 1 and 2 of paragraph 5, lines 17 through 22, page 1.  He referred to Exhibit F and read testimony into the record.

 

Ms. Segerblom requested information regarding the new state park in Laughlin.  Mr. Weaver supplied the details.

 

Ms. Freeman asked status of funding for the state parks issues.  Mr. Weaver responded the financial situation was not very good.  He proceeded to give details of the funding requirements.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN HETTRICK MOVED TO ADOPT SCR 14.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN FREEMAN SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

SENATE BILL 283 -Repeals requirements relating to notice of meetings of state park advisory commission which are supplementary to general requirements relating to notice of all meetings for public bodies.

 

Mr. Fred Welden, Chief Deputy Research Division, presented SB 283 to the committee and distributed Exhibit G.  He explained the purposes of the bill.  SB 283 placed the State Parks Commission under Nevada's open meeting law.

 

Ms. de Braga stated the bill did not specify the commission would fall under the open meeting law and asked for clarification.  Mr. Welden asserted another section of law stated unless there was a specific requirement otherwise, every state agency was subject to the open meeting law.

 

Ms. Kenny inquired whether the meetings were well attended; to which Mr. Richardson responded it was dependent on subject matter.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN AUGUSTINE MOVED TO DO PASS SB 283.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN FREEMAN SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Mr. Hettrick introduced Ms. Waldo, the teacher responsible for bringing the Douglas High School class to the committee meeting.

 

Senate Bill 319 -Creates account for division of state parks and authorizes expenditures to repair and maintain state parks, monuments and recreational areas.

 

Mr. Fred Welden, Chief Deputy Research Division, distributed Exhibit H to the committee and provided background on SB 319.

 

Ms. Lambert questioned whether SB 319 should be referred to Ways and Means if passed by this committee.  Mr. Welden did not have objection to referral to Ways and Means but did not know if it was required; however, the bill did not change the budget amounts requested.

 

Mr. Richardson further clarified the budget fee situation.

 

Ms. Segerblom inquired if the maintenance fee would be used for the upkeep of the restrooms.  Mr. Richardson replied it would not.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN BACHE MOVED TO DO PASS SB 319.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN DE BRAGA SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Senate Bill 318 -Reconciles requirements for financial reporting by school districts.

 

Mr. Mike Alastuey, Clark County School District, explained the reasons behind SB 318. Two particular portions of the statute needed revision.  First, NRS 354.602 provided for quarterly publication of financial reports in the newspapers for public review.  The due date of June 30 was 90 days after the conclusion of the fiscal year, whereas the audit for the year ending June 30 was not due until after that time.  The amended statute was to change the June 30 date to coincide with the date the audit was due.  Secondly, on page 2, line 22, he recommended deletion of "board of trustees of the county school district, the".

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN WILLIAMS MOVED TO DO PASS SB 318.

 

      ASSEMBLYMAN BENNETT SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Chairman Garner announced assignment of bills on general file in the Assembly Chambers for the day.

 

There being no further business to come before committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 a.m.

 

      RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

                             

      LINDA BLEVINS

      Committee Secretary

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Assembly Committee on Government Affairs

April 29, 1993

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