MINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF

      ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS

      AND

      SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

 

      Sixty-seventh Session

      May 19, 1993

 

 

 

The joint meeting of the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance was called to order by Chairman Morse Arberry Jr., at 9:00 a.m., on Wednesday, May 19, 1993, in Room 119 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada.  Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda.

 

 

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

      Mr. Morse Arberry, Jr., Chairman

      Mr. Larry L. Spitler, Vice Chairman

      Mrs. Vonne Chowning

      Mr. Joseph E. Dini, Jr.

      Mrs. Jan Evans

      Ms. Christina R. Giunchigliani

      Mr. Dean A. Heller

      Mr. David E. Humke

      Mr. John W. Marvel

      Mr. Richard Perkins

      Mr. Robert E. Price

      Ms. Sandra Tiffany

      Mrs. Myrna T. Williams

 

SENATE COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

      Senator William J. Raggio, Chairman

      Senator Raymond D. Rawson, Vice Chairman

      Senator Lawrence E. Jacobson

      Senator Bob Coffin

      Senator Diana M Glomb

      Senator William R. O'Donnell

      Senator Matthew Q. Callister

 

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

 

      None

 

SENATE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

 

      None

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

      Mark Stevens, Fiscal Analyst

      Dan Miles, Fiscal Analyst

      Gary Ghiggeri, Deputy Fiscal Analyst

      Bob Guernsey, Deputy Fiscal Analyst

 

 

JOINT BUDGET CLOSING

 

OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR - PAGE 14

 

Dan Miles, Budget Analyst, indicated the Senate Finance Committee had included $31,516 in FY 94 and $31,784 in FY 95 for a clerical position and equipment for the Las Vegas office. 

 

Senator Raggio stated in the past the occupants of the office had used personal funds in order to augment staff.  He contended the position was essential to the operation of the Las Vegas office.

 

Mr. Marvel asked what the equipment was comprised of.  Mr. Miles replied it included a chair, desk and word processing equipment.

 

Mr. Stevens noted the Assembly closing included a photocopying machine, a personnel computer and related software.

 

      MR. MARVEL MOVED TO CONCUR WITH THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

 

      MRS. EVANS SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

      SENATOR COFFIN MOVED TO CONCUR WITH THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS.

 

      SENATOR JACOBSEN SECONDED THE MOTION.

     

      MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. SENATOR RAWSON AND SENATOR O'DONNELL WERE ABSENT.

 

 

      BUDGET CLOSED.

 

      * * * * *

 

SECRETARY OF STATE - OFFICE - PAGE 52

 

Mr. Stevens noted the items recommended by the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means differed from the Executive Budget and provided for the retention of the Micro Computer Specialist at a cost of $37,760 in FY 94 and $39,593 in FY 95.  He explained after some analysis it was determined that the amount recommended in the Executive Budget for positions financed by expedite fees was short by $78,384 in FY 94 and $83,185 in FY 95.  Therefore the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means added the above amounts in expedite fees with a corresponding decrease in state General Fund obligation.

 

Senator Raggio explained the Senate Committee on Finance had closed the budget as recommended by the Governor, however, the action was taken prior to making some basic data processing decisions.

 

      SENATOR GLOMB MOVED TO CONCUR WITH THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS.

 

      SENATOR JACOBSEN SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

      BUDGET CLOSED.

 

      * * * * * *

 

UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA ADMINISTRATION - PAGE 115

 

Mr. Stevens explained the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means closed the budget to include additional regents discretionary funds of $69,429 in each year of the biennium with a corresponding offset to the General Fund.  The funding would be used to reduce the General Fund support of the Chancellor's Office.

 

Senator Raggio stated the action of the Assembly in reducing the General Fund appropriation in excess of $66,000 in each year of the biennium and authorizing discretionary funds was understandable.  However, the University of Nevada System's budget had been cut dramatically and to reduce the budget by an additional $130,000 was difficult to justify. 

 

He noted a compelling case had been made for an editor for the University Press and the Senate advocated the addition of the position.

 

Chairman Arberry deferred action on the budget.

 

SENIOR CITIZENS PROPERTY TAX ASSISTANCE - PAGE 212

 

Mr. Stevens said the Assembly action increased the regular appropriation by $12,865 in FY 94 and 311,955 in FY 95.  He noted the property tax rebate had been prorated to 80 percent in the current fiscal year.  The amounts recommended in the Executive Budget would reduce the rebates to 76 - 77 percent in FY 94 and 71 percent in FY 95.  The Assembly action would retain the tax rebate levels at the 80 percent level.

 

Mr. Miles noted the Senate Finance Committee closed the budget as recommended by the Governor.

 

Senator Raggio stated the action of the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means was laudable.  However, the Senate Finance Committee would have difficulty approving a $300,000 augmentation from the General Fund.

 

Ms. Giunchigliani argued in favor of maintaining an 80 percent tax rebate.  She noted seniors were in extreme need of the financing.  The Legislature should attempt to reinstate the tax rebate to full funding over the course of the biennium.

 

Senator Glomb asked if the rebate assistance was based on a means test.  Mr. Stevens confirmed the rebate was based on a means test.

 

Senator O'Donnell asked if the seniors mentioned by Ms. Giunchigliani were renters.  She replied some were renters.  Senator O'Donnell commented the tax rebate for seniors was based on property ownership, therefore, renters were not eligible for the rebate.

 

Mrs. Williams clarified the rebate was based on a taxable portion of rent.  She could not support reducing the tax rebate any lower than 80 percent.  She argued the rebate could make the difference between eating and not eating.

 

Mr. Marvel opposed the rebate on a philosophical level because the local governments collected the ad valorem tax, yet the state was burdened with paying the rebate.

 

Chairman Arberry deferred action on the budget.

 

DAIRY COMMISSION - PAGE 475

 

Mr. Stevens stated no monetary discrepancies existed between the action of either committee.  However the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means action suggested the Executive Director be selected by the Governor from a list of names provided by the Dairy Commission.

 

Senator Raggio argued the action taken by the Assembly would take a statutory change and could be addressed in a bill.  He noted presently the Senate did not want to make the change.

 

Speaker Dini noted a conflict would exist if the Governor's recommendation to incorporate the Dairy Commission into the Department of Business and Industry was implemented because selection of the Executive Director for the Dairy Commission would be done by the head of the Department of Business and Industry.

 

Senator Raggio asserted the Senate at this point was unwilling to have the Executive Director of the Dairy Commission appointed by any other means.  He stated there was concern a person without the statutory qualifications would be appointed to the Dairy Commission.

 

Chairman Arberry deferred action on the budget.

 

COMMISSION ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

 

Mr. Stevens said the Assembly closed the budget as recommended by the Governor.

 

Mr. Miles noted the Senate in the second year of the biennium eliminated the vacancy savings since this was a small budget with only four positions which were currently filled.

 

Senator Raggio argued if vacancy savings was required it would have significant impact on the budget.

 

Chairman Arberry deferred action on the budget.

 

EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION - PAGE 637

 

Mr. Stevens said the Assembly action restored the Library Consultant and related in-state travel and operating support cost.  The position would begin January 1, 1994 and cost $34,274 in FY 94 and $5,000 in FY 95.  Dues to national organizations were included at a cost of $57,000 in each year of the biennium.

 

Mr. Miles indicated the Senate action did not include an allocation for the Library Consultant.  Instead, $23,755 in FY 94 and $34,518 in FY 95 was allocated to restore a Management Assistant position.  The Senate also allocated $33,245 in FY 94 and $22,482 in FY 95 for dues to national organizations.

 

Ms. Giunchigliani asked if the reduction in dues to national organizations impacted ECS.  Senator Raggio said the national organizations in view of budget constraints would allow full participation through this biennium if the state would pay a portion of the dues.  Ms. Giunchigliani asked if the balance would be billed at a later date.  Senator Raggio stated the balance would not be billed.  Ms. Giunchigliani asked if the Senate would be willing to allocate the savings to fund the Library Consultant position.  She reminded the committee libraries had suffered significant budget reductions.  The position served both the rural and urban counties.  Senator Raggio stated the bottom line on all of the budgets was General Fund impact.  He indicated a heated discussion about the Library Consultant's position had occurred in the Senate Finance Committee prior to the joint meeting.  He noted when the agreement to separate the Department of Education from the Department of Health and Human Services was based on making minimal fiscal impact.  He argued funding for the Management Assistant was of considerable importance.  Ms. Giunchigliani argued there were significantly more clerical positions than professional.  Senator Raggio added the Management Assistant position was presently filled with a person who had served the state for 25 years and the Library Consultant position was vacant.

 

Chairman Arberry deferred action on the budget.

 

 

TITLE VI-B - PAGE 675

 

Mr. Stevens indicated the actions of both committees were identical with the exception of the Senate restoring the Special Education Consultant at the top of the pay scale. 

 

Mr. Miles explained the salary allocation increase, $5,794 in FY 94 and $5,663 in FY 95, was necessary to attract a qualified candidate.

 

      MR. HUMKE MOVED TO CONCUR WITH THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.

 

      MR. MARVEL SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

      BUDGET CLOSED.

 

      * * * * *

 

BUREAU OF LABORATORY AND RESEARCH - PAGE 818

 

Mr. Stevens said the Assembly action restored the Laboratory Director and funded the position with a General Fund appropriation. 

Mr. Miles said the Senate action also restored the Laboratory Director but funded the position with increased laboratory fees.

 

Senator Raggio added the Senate action was based on a memorandum from Ron Lange, Administrative Health Officer, which stated the fee increase could be requested from the State Board of Health.

 

Chairman Arberry deferred action on the budget.

 

CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY DIVISION - PAGE 938

 

Mr. Stevens indicated Assembly action concurred with the Senate with one exception, the Assembly did not reduce the Contract Sexual Offenders expenditure category by $10,000. 

 

Mr. Miles noted information from the agency indicated adjudication rates would have to more than double in order to spend the $73,000 available in the Contract Sexual Offender category.  Therefore the Senate chose to reduce the category by $10,000 in each year of the biennium.  The purpose and goal of the reduction was to fund medical coverage for emancipated foster care children.

 

Ms. Giunchigliani noted for the record she would not vote in favor of the budget because it was not funded properly.

 

Senator Glomb met with representatives of emancipated youth and argued medical coverage for emancipated foster care children was extremely important.

 

Mrs. Williams concurred with Senator Glomb and argued in favor of medical coverage for emancipated foster care children, however, she opposed utilizing funds from the Contract Sexual Offender category to do so.

 

Chairman Arberry deferred action on the budget.

 

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES - PAGE 1050

 

Mr. Miles indicated the action of both committees was identical with the exception of out-of-state travel.  The Senate Finance committee added $2,692 for each year of the biennium to bring out-of-state travel to the work program level.

 

      MR. HUMKE MOVED TO CONCUR WITH THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

 

      MR. MARVEL SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

      BUDGET CLOSED.

 

      * * * * *

 

DEPARTMENT OF MUSEUMS AND HISTORY - PAGE 1120

 

Mr. Stevens noted Assembly action eliminated reorganizational savings, $91,452 in FY 94 and $122,597 in FY 95, and placed it into vacancy savings.  He stated similar action had been taken in all remaining budgets.

 

Senator Raggio understood the Assembly action to be consistent with the policy that would allow the transfer of funds within the Department up to the amount of vacancy savings.  Chairman Arberry confirmed this was the intention of the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means.

 

      SENATOR O'DONNELL MOVED TO CONCUR WITH THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS.

 

      SENATOR JACOBSEN SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

      BUDGET CLOSED.

 

      * * * * *

 

NEVADA STATE MUSEUM - LAS VEGAS - PAGE 1139

 

Mr. Stevens said similar actions were taken by the Senate and the Assembly with the exception of the Assembly action to include $1,000 for increased exhibits.

 

Senator Raggio asked what the $1,000 allocation accommodated.  Chairman Arberry explained funding for exhibits had been eliminated over the last biennium and in order to maintain adequate museum exhibits the allocation had been included in the account. 

 

      SENATOR COFFIN MOVED TO CONCUR WITH THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS.

 

      SENATOR JACOBSEN SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

      BUDGET CLOSED.

 

      * * * * *

 

STATE MUSEUM - LAS VEGAS - PAGE 1139

 

Mr. Stevens noted Assembly action included restoration of the Executive Director, $44,537 in FY 94 and $59,712 in FY 95, effective October 1, 1993, with a General Fund appropriation.

 

Mr. Miles noted Senate action also restored the position but restoration was effective July 1, 1993 and the position was funded with donations, gifts and sales.

 

Chairman Arberry deferred action on the budget.

 

NEVADA STATE LIBRARY - PAGE 1159

 

Mr. Stevens explained Assembly action would fund the library books budget with 1/3 General Fund, 1/3 Federal Title I funds and 1/3 Gifts and Donations.  In addition the bookmobile allocation would be increased by $26,000 with federal funds.

 

Mr. Miles said Senate Finance increased the bookmobile budget by $26,000, with $13,000 General Funds and a $13,000 county match.  The book budget was funded by gifts, donations and sales.

 

Ms. Giunchigliani asserted there was no way to fund all of the book budget through gifts, donations and sales.  She suggested funding the majority of the book budget with a General Fund appropriation, reducing the sales requirement and eliminating the federal grant funds because of its impact on counties.

 

Mr. Marvel asserted the State Librarian was not opposed to utilizing the federal grant for the bookmobile.

 

Ms. Giunchigliani argued it was a cost shift to the counties and the program was a state responsibility.

 

Chairman Arberry deferred action on the budget. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:21 a.m.

 

 

            RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

                                   

            C. Dale Gray

            Committee Secretary

??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assembly Committee on Ways and Means

Senate Committee on Finance

May 19, 1993

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