MINUTES OF MEETING
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE AND MINING
Sixty-seventh Session
March 1, 1993
The Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining was called to order by Chairman Vivian L. Freeman at 1;15 p.m., March 1, 1993, in Room 321 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda, Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mrs. Vivian L. Freeman, Chairman
Mr. John B. Regan, Vice Chairman
Mr. Douglas A. Bache
Ms. Marcia de Braga
Mr. Peter G. Ernaut
Mr. James A. Gibbons
Mr. Roy Neighbors
Mr. Robert M. Sader
Mr. Michael A. Schneider
Ms. Stephanie Smith
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mr. John C. Carpenter
GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:
None
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Fred Welden, Chief Deputy Research Director
Denice Miller, Senior Research Analyst
OTHERS PRESENT:
Joe Johnson, Sierra Club; Ray Blehm, State Fire Marshal; Barbara Roper, Nye County; Wayne Teglia, Department of Motor Vehicles; Bill Goddard, Department Motor Vehicles, Nevada Highway Patrol; Donna Lewis, Director, Division of Enforcement for Industrial Safety and Health; Carol Jackson, Director, Department of Industrial Relations; David Going, Director, Division of Enforcement for Industrial Safety and Health; Larry Farr, Reno Fire Department.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Freeman.
Mrs. Freeman asked for a committee introduction requested by Assemblyman Sergerblom to rename the Floyd Lamb State Park to the Tule Springs State Park.
ASSEMBLYMAN SMITH MOVED FOR A COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION TO RENAME THE FLOYD LAMB STATE PARK TO THE TULE SPRINGS STATE PARK.
ASSEMBLYMAN BACHE SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY ALL THOSE PRESENT. (ASSEMBLYMAN CARPENTER WAS ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE.)
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ASSEMBLYMAN SADER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES THROUGH FEBRUARY 22, 1993 FOR THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE AND MINING.
ASSEMBLYMAN ERNAUT SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED BY ALL THOSE PRESENT. (ASSEMBLYMAN CARPENTER WAS ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE.)
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Ms. Denice Miller, Senior Research Analyst and principal staff for the interim study, Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 79 of the Sixty-sixth session previewed bills scheduled, (Exhibit C).
Chairman Freeman opened the hearing on A.B. 114.
ASSEMBLY BILL 114:
Requires Nevada highway patrol division to develop training program relating to hazardous materials.
Mr. Wayne Teglia, Department of Motor Vehicles, Public Safety, Peace Officers Standards and Training Division (POST), and Captain Bill Goddard of the Nevada Highway Patrol spoke in support of A.B. 114. Mr. Teglia had given the committee a proposed amendment to A.B. 114, (Exhibit D), and asked the language presently in the bill be changed as noted in the exhibit. The department director recently consolidated training functions of the Highway Patrol Division under the direction of the Peace Officer's Standard and Training. All law enforcement training at the state level would be coordinated through and by the POST Division including all highway patrol training. The proposed amendment would make the language consistent with the reorganization and the manner in which training would be developed, accredited, certified and presented. Captain Goddard, Nevada Highway Patrol, stated after discussion his staff supported the change.
Mrs. Freeman asked if a fiscal note was attached to the legislation. Captain Goddard said they had submitted a fiscal note. He felt an additional person to do training, coordinating and keeping track of records would be needed. Mrs. Freeman asked if the amount needed was in the proposed budget and Captain Goddard replied yes.
Ms. Smith asked if A.B. 114 would only develop the program or would it also implement the training. Captain Goddard explained training programs have been in place for many areas needed. He felt the viability of the program would require a person to coordinate training throughout the state as well as keep records on training. Mr. Teglia explained the intent of the bill would be to develop a program, certify the program through POST and implement the program.
Line 4 of A.B. 114 should alleviate Ms. Smith's concerns, stated Mr. Welden.
Mr. Schneider asked how many highway patrol officers there were statewide. In answer to Mr. Schneider's question, Captain Goddard said 305 officers statewide. Mr. Schneider asked if the training person would be needed permanently. Captain Goddard explained some training would be mandatory and needed for recertification, and A.B. 114 would require training to other law enforcement agencies not only to the highway patrol officers. Mr. Teglia said when the course was developed and certified through POST, it must be available as part of an advanced training schedule to all law enforcement agencies.
ASSEMBLYMAN SADER MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 114.
ASSEMBLYMAN BACHE SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY ALL THOSE PRESENT. (MR. CARPENTER WAS ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE.)
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Chairman Freeman opened the hearing on A.B. 120.
ASSEMBLY BILL 120:
Limits authority of division of enforcement for industrial safety and health of department of industrial relations to adopt certain regulations relating to hazardous materials.
Mrs. Freeman asked for testimony on A.B. 120. No one came forward to speak in favor of the bill.
Ms. Carol Jackson, Director of Department of Industrial Relations, spoke against A.B. 120, (Exhibit E).
Mr. Blehm in answer to Mrs. Freeman's question on who proposed the bill stated the local fire departments submitted testimony to the interim committee which led to the introduction of A.B. 120.
Mr. Gibbons asked which standard as listed in A.B. 120, page 1, lines 5 through 12 would conflict or jeopardize federal regulations. Ms. Donna Lewis, Administrator, Division of Enforcement for Industrial Safety and Health, replied there were no conflicts. The problem existed around the National Fire Protection Association codes, Exhibit E, page 2.
Mrs. Freeman asked Ms. Miller to relate some background on A.B. 120. Ms. Miller said firefighters did not know what was included in the National Consensus Standard phrase and they were afraid DEISH inspectors would cite for violations they did not have knowledge of. Ms. Lewis of DEISH stated they have two standards which apply, one called the Fire Brigade, and the National Fire Protection Standards which Deish adopts.
Mrs. Freeman closed the hearing on A.B. 120.
ASSEMBLY BILL 126:
Directs state fire marshal to develop reference guide for use by personnel responding to emergencies involving hazardous materials.
Ray Blehm, State Fire Marshal, stated the guide would discuss the safe response requirements for responders of hazardous materials. Mr. Blehm felt the training budget should have sufficient funds to cover the printing costs. The booklet would not be difficult to accomplish as it would be integral with training requirements.
Mr. Gibbons asked Mr. Blehm if his procedures of training techniques coordinated with the Highway Patrol's planned training. Mr. Blehm stated training courses for haz mat have been submitted to POST for certification. The State Fire Marshal's office certified 900 Metro Officers in Las Vegas last year. He said they do cooperate with law enforcement and would help to develop their program.
Mrs. Freeman asked for anyone who might want to speak in opposition to A.B. 126.
ASSEMBLYMAN REGAN MOVED TO DO PASS A.B. 126.
ASSEMBLYMAN BACHE SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY ALL THOSE PRESENT. (MR. CARPENTER WAS ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE.)
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Chairman Freeman said in regard to A.B. 120 she would reschedule the bill.
Mr. Welden announced to the committee a work session would be held on Monday, March 8. He asked if the subcommittee's could meet and have recommendations on Monday for action.
There being no further business to come before committee, the meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
PAT MENATH
Committee Secretary
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Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining
March 1, 1993
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