MINUTES OF MEETING
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Sixty-seventh Session
June 28, 1993
The Assembly Committee on Government Affairs was called to order by Chairman Val Z. Garner at 9:06 a.m. Monday, June 28, 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
Mr. Lynn Hettrick
Mrs. Erin Kenny
Mrs. Joan A. Lambert
Mr. James W. McGaughey
Mrs. Gene W. Segerblom
Mr. Wendell P. Williams
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mrs. Vivian L. Freeman, Excused
Mr. Roy Neighbors, Excused
GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:
None.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mrs. Dana Bennett, Senior Research Analyst.
OTHERS PRESENT:
Mr. Bob Crowell, Vice Chairman of the Colorado River Commission (CRC); Mr. Richard J. Wimmer, Southern Nevada Water Authority and Las Vegas Valley Water District; Mr. John Swendseid, Bond Counsel for Las Vegas Valley Water District; Mr. Doug Busselman, Executive Vice President of Nevada Farm Bureau.
Chairman Garner indicated Mrs. Dana Bennett, Senior Research Analyst, had handed out a report submitted by the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners pursuant to ACR 62 study committee which had been adopted by the 66th session of the Legislature (Exhibit C). Chairman Garner stated the full text of the report was available in his office.
SENATE BILL 19 - Revises authority of Colorado River commission to issue bonds.
Mr. Bob Crowell, Vice Chairman of the Colorado River Commission (CRC), testified SB 19 was a critical bill for the continued and efficient operation of the Southern Nevada Water System. He indicated there was a proposed amendment which would make two changes to the bill (Exhibit D).
Mr. Crowell said the first change was under subsection 4, the CRC was asking that the bonding authority be expanded from $8,910,000 to $11 million. He said the purpose was to provide a safety net for the potential funding for change orders relating to modification contracts which were already in existence and ongoing with respect to the development and rehabilitation of laboratory facilities, administration facilities and maintenance operation facilities of the Southern Nevada Water System. Mr. Crowell pointed out those contracts were already under way, and while there might be enough funds already in existence under the current bonding authority to complete them, the additional amount would be prudent in order to cover any change orders necessary to complete the projects.
Mr. Crowell commented the second change under subparagraph 9 was asking the bonding authority to be increased from $4 million to $10 million. He said this was critical authority for the efficient operation of the system, as it would allow the CRC to bond and fund the replacement of existing, outdated computer control systems for the operation of the Southern Nevada Water System. The computer control systems were the ones which allowed the operation of the Southern Nevada Water System both onsite and remote sources for data acquisition.
Mr. Richard J. Wimmer, Southern Nevada Water Authority and Las Vegas Valley Water District, testified the proposed amendment to SB 19 did not change any language which had come over from the Senate. He said it would add a provision to amend Chapter 167 of the Nevada Statutes, the Las Vegas Valley Water District Act, to allow the water district to issue bonds for the Southern Nevada Water Authority at its request. Mr. Wimmer gave further testimony on how the amendment would affect the water district.
Mr. John Swendseid, Bond Counsel for Las Vegas Valley Water District, brought up a technical matter regarding the title of the bill. He felt it would have to be amended and should say it was an act, "Relating to the financing of water projects authorizing Colorado River Commission to issue additional bonds, repealing the commission's authority to issue certain bonds, authorizing the Las Vegas Valley Water District to issue bonds at the request of and for the benefit of Southern Nevada Water Authority, and providing other matters properly relating thereto." Mr. Swendseid reiterated testimony on the purpose of the bill.
Chairman Garner indicated as there was no further testimony and all parties were in agreement with the amendment, he would accept a motion to amend and do pass SB 19.
ASSEMBLYMAN MCGAUGHEY MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS S.B. 19.
ASSEMBLYMAN HETTRICK SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
Chairman Garner requested Mr. McGaughey handle SB 19 on the floor.
SENATE BILL 512 - Provides alternative method of showing subsisting right to water livestock.
Mrs. Freeman stated she had just called Mr. Mike Turnipseed's office as he was supposed to testify. Mr. Turnipseed indicated he was unable to attend the hearing but felt SB 512 was acceptable.
Mr. Doug Busselman, Executive Vice President of Nevada Farm Bureau, testified in support of SB 512 as it was his understanding the bill would provide a method of proving up on beneficial use for livestock water, especially in areas which had not been fully adjudicated.
ASSEMBLYMAN ERNAUT MOVED TO DO PASS S.B. 512.
ASSEMBLYMAN DE BRAGA SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
Chairman Garner requested Mrs. de Braga handle SB 512 on the floor.
SENATE BILL 174 - Makes various changes to provisions governing meetings of public bodies.
Chairman Garner indicated there had been a proposed amendment to SB 174 and reminded the committee the probability of getting further amendments would be difficult at this point in the session. Chairman Garner asked if the committee was interested in proceeding with SB 174. The majority of the committee professed an interest in continuing with the bill.
Mr. Ernaut handed out a proposed amendment (Exhibit E). Chairman Garner pointed out the amendment was the same as had been proposed previously and would not help the concerns expressed by the Boxing Commission.
Extensive committee discussion ensued regarding the concerns of the Boxing Commission as indicated in previous meetings and possible proposals which might address those concerns.
Mr. Bache brought up a possible solution to the problems encountered by the Boxing Commission. He referenced subsection 2 on line 8, "Instead of 'any person' to eliminate the Boxing Commission we could change it to 'employee of the state or political subdivision thereof.'"
Further discussion ensued regarding whether referees, judges and doctors used by the Boxing Commission were considered employees of the state or independent contractors.
Chairman Garner asked Mr. Bache to find out if the referees, judges and doctors involved were actually independent contractors, and he stated the committee would meet again the following day to take action on the bill based on Mr. Bache's findings.
Mr. Hettrick referenced page 4, line 2 "special meetings," and indicated that language did not currently have definition in statutes and there had been a problem with that language before. He felt if an amendment was to be proposed, the language should be changed at the same time.
Further discussion ensued.
Chairman Garner closed the hearing on SB 174.
Chairman Garner briefly reviewed and committee discussed several bills which were still pending for the floor of the Assembly.
There being no further business to come before committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 a.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
LINDA FEATHERINGILL
Committee Secretary
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Assembly Committee on Government Affairs
June 28, 1993
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