MINUTES OF THE
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS
Sixty-seventh Session
March 1, 1993
The Assembly Committee on Ways and Means was called to order by Chairman Morse Arberry, Jr., at 8:00 a.m., on Monday, March 1, 1993, in room 352 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda, Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.
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
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mark Stevens, Fiscal Analyst
Gary Ghiggeri, Deputy Fiscal Analyst
Senate Bill 32 Makes appropriation to legislative fund for initial financing of 1993 Western Legislative Conference.
John Crossly, Director, Legislative Counsel Bureau, explained Senate Bill 32 (SB 32) would appropriate $30,000 for the initial cost for the 1993 Western Legislative Conference (WLC) to be held in Las Vegas. Mr. Crossly reported the total budget for the WLC was composed of cash and in-kind donations totaling $300,000. He informed the committee it was the intention of the Legislative Counsel Bureau to repay the $30,000 appropriation to the General Fund after the conference was held.
Mrs. Evans asked how many people were expected to attend the conference. Mr. Crossly replied the conference anticipated 1,000 participants.
Mr. Marvel asked how much money would the WLC generate for the state of Nevada. Mr. Crossly replied approximately $1 million or more was estimated to be generated for the state.
Ms. Giunchigliani commented she was a member of the host committee for the WLC. She informed the committee over 1,000 participants were anticipated which was 300-400 more participants than the last WLC held in Guam.
Assembly Bill 95 Makes appropriation to department of education for distribution to public broadcasting stations.
Gene Paslov, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, read from prepared testimony (Exhibit D). Mr. Paslov stated..."I support AB 95. The value of state support for public television and radio is self evident. Commercial free, public interest communications assures a broad range of comprehensive, objective news and entertainment that is of state and local interest. The community and the state itself are enhanced by the availability of public television and radio. The state Department of Education's involvement in these grants has been primarily as support and encouragement. We have a statewide interest in developing an education telecommunication network for the elementary and secondary schools, have worked hard at building the pieces of such a system, and see public television and radio as an integral part of the statewide effort. We distribute the grant funds to the public television and radio stations in accordance with a system that the statewide public broadcast association membership developed and we do at no cost to the stations. This arrangement assures good working relationships between the Department and the broadcast association when we come to the table on the larger issues of education telecommunications. I have a breakout of the funds distributed for the most current period. Representatives of the public broadcast association are here to give you examples of how the funds were used. I remain firmly committed to state support for public broadcasting and encourage you to support AB 95."
Chairman Arberry stated the 1991 legislative session appropriated $150,000 for public broadcasting. Chairman Arberry asked how the money was utilized. Mr. Paslov stated AB 570 of the 65th session appropriated $50,000 and AB 292 of the 66th session appropriated $150,000. Mr. Paslov explained Exhibit C detailed the specific use and distribution of the funds.
Jim Paulurine, President of Nevada Public Broadcasting Association and General Manager Channel 5, Reno, referred to Exhibit C and explained the grants the stations received range from $2,000 to $45,000 over the biennium. In each case the individual stations determined how the funds were allocated to various projects. He informed the committee some of the rural station were using the state grant to purchase the rights to the PBS program schedule. The Reno station used the funding for expanded coverage of the 1992 local elections.
Chairman Arberry asked if there were specific criteria for each agency to receive a grant. Mr. Paulurine explained the criteria were: (1) non-commercial television or radio stations; (2) provided a broadcast service to the community which is non-sectarian, non-political, and contains no religious programming; and (3) establish station operations a year prior to receiving a grant. The grants are then allocated 75 percent to television 25 percent to radio. He said within each of the grants there were base grants and incentive grants. The base grants were awarded at the same level annually. The incentive grants were awarded to stations based on the annual amount of non-tax based revenue generated.
Mr. Humke asked if the incentive funding method encouraged the proliferation of additional stations. Mr. Paulurine stated incentive grant funding was not sufficient to stimulate small communities to make the initial capital investment since equipment cost alone could be as much as $50,000-$60,000. Also federal funding discouraged stations from developing in the same service area unless the new station provided a distinctly different service to the community.
Mr. Price asked how the public broadcast stations manage allegations of a socialist bias. Mr. Paulurine stated PBS was aware of concerns about objectivity and balance in programming from the public and federal government. He asserted all of the media was labeled with having a liberal bias.
Ms. Giunchigliani asked Mr. Paslov to provide information about the percentage of funding to public broadcasting from each of the school districts. Mr. Paslov stated he would provide the information. He added Channel 10 in Clark county was licensed and owned by the Clark County School District.
Mrs. Evans asked if the recession had impacted the fundraising efforts of the public broadcasting system. Mr. Paulurine stated 1992 was the most challenging year for fundraising since 1983. He said the station received no tax-based support. He continued although corporate support fell, individual support increased from $485,000 to $500,000. He commented non-profit agencies were inclined to feel a delayed recessionary impact and also a delayed recovery. However federal funding and appropriations were higher than ever because of technological advances. Mr. Paulurine commented presently four channels were available to Nevada PBS patrons. In 1993 a new satellite will be launched which will provide access to 40-60 channels.
Mrs. Evans asked if other states make contributions to their Public Broadcasting Stations. Mr. Paulurine stated the largest source of support was from PBS individual donations, the second from state government, the third from corporations and finally from the federal government. He stated many states have developed an extraordinary public television infrastructure. Mr. Paulurine was pleased to inform the committee Nevada was among the states which supported public television and ranked between 45-50 in the Nation.
Public Comment
Daniel Wedell, Board Member, Channel 10, Chairman of the Board of National Public Radio (KNPR), stated he was in favor of AB 95. Mr. Wedell commented the state allocations were distributed on a prorated basis to all public broadcasting stations throughout the state. He asked the committee to fully fund AB 95 at the $300,000 level. Mr. Wedell finalized his comments and stated the appropriated funds would afford an opportunity for federal matching funds.
Virginia Williamson, Board Member, KNPB Channel 5, stated she was in support of AB 95. She stated as a parent she appreciated the quality of public television programming for children and families. She commented on some of the projects KNPB Channel 5 in Reno had provided to the public over the last year: (1) sponsored a series of workshops to aid childcare providers and parents in educating children through PBS programs - 75 participants; (2) worked in conjunction with the three major stations and broadcast Scared Silent, a general community education project on child abuse which resulted in a 400 percent increase in calls to the crisis call center hotline over a 3 day period; (3) expanded coverage of local elections through a voter registration campaign, production of television spots, and production of 8 prime time town meetings. Mrs. Williamson asked the committee to continue its modest funding, which equalled 15 cents per person in Nevada, to the public broadcasting stations.
Mr. Spitler commented he supported public broadcasting and was a member of Friends of Channel 10. He asked how the $300,000 funding level was determined. Mr. Paulurine indicated the funding level had been determined by the Governor during a previous session. There was no specific rational behind the amount of the allocation. Mr. Spitler asked for a detailed description of the programs funded by the last state allocation.
Mrs. Williams asked if the federal matching allocations were dollar for dollar. Mr. Paulurine indicated for every non-federal dollar raised a qualified public broadcast station received 8 cents of federal incentive funding. He qualified the 8 cents was in addition to the basic federal grant allocation and served as an incentive to public broadcasting stations.
Assembly Bill 190Makes appropriation to Clark County for improvements to fairgrounds for Clark County fair.
Ms. Stephanie Smith, Assembly District 20, stated she was in support of AB 190. Ms. Smith introduced Lynn Bowler, Clark County Fair Manager, and A.C. Robison, Clark County Fair Chairman Board of Directors.
Mr. Robison commented the county fair had developed an excellent reputation with community and non-community members as good family entertainment. The 1992 county fair boasted 60,000 people in attendance, which was an increase of 35,000 people when compared to the 1989 fair. Attendance for the 1993 fair was anticipated to be 70,000. Mr. Robison indicated the fair facilities, worth approximately $3 million, were built from state contributions and county and volunteer support. Mr. Robison emphasized the volunteer aspect of the county fair which was developed and operated by approximately 500 volunteers. Mr. Robison referred to Clark County Fair's Mission Statement, (Exhibit D), and read, "It is the mission of the Clark County Fair to present the one event individuals and families throughout Clark County can attend each spring to experience exciting opportunities for fun, education, entertainment and wholesome family activities which exhibit the quality of life found only in down-home rural America." Mr. Robison indicated a survey from the 1992 fair (Exhibit D) revealed 50 percent of the participants came from the Las Vegas Valley, 15 percent from Henderson, 22 percent from out of state.
Mr. Bowler commented AB 190 would be an investment in the quality of life for the people of the state of Nevada. He stated AB 190 would appropriate $60,000 from the state and $60,000 from county parks and recreation.
Chairman Arberry stated AB 190 provided a $120,000 appropriation. Mrs. Smith clarified it was the intention for the bill to provide for an appropriation of $60,000 from the state with $60,000 in matching funds from the county. She would amend the language of AB 190 to reflect the change in funding.
Mr. Bowler indicated the appropriation would be used to fund three facilities: (1) $90,000 of the total appropriation would be used for shower facilities on the fair grounds; (2) restroom facilities to accommodate the 70,000 visitors; and (3) $30,000 would be used for a portable bleacher. These facilities would be used by other organizations such as the high school rodeo, seniors organizations, and dance groups.
Chairman Arberry asked for a detailed list of previous state appropriations to the Clark County Fair. Mr. Bowler indicated the information would be provided. He commented a large portion of the facilities were constructed by volunteers without cost to the state or to the county.
Ms. Giunchigliani asked how much revenue was generated from the 70,000 visitors to the fair. Mr. Bowler stated the 1992 fair's budget was $318,000; $50,000 from the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority and the remainder was raised through donations, sponsorships and gate receipts. The projected budget for 1993 was $350,000. The funding request in AB 190 would not contribute to the operation of the fair but would build the special projects previously indicated.
Ms. Giunchigliani asked if the Board of Directors had considered raising the gate fees. Mr. Bowler indicated the gate fees were raised by $1 for the 1992 fair; $5 for adults, $2 for children and seniors and $20 for a family pass. He stated the Board would like to keep the fair a family event and any further increase could preclude some individuals from attending. Ms. Giunchigliani commented the state and counties should determine boundaries of fiscal responsibility. Mr. Robison interjected the Board was considering all of the above solutions in light of the recent budget restraints.
Chairman Arberry asked if gate fees could fund the requested projects. Mr. Bowler stated the fees were deposited into the general operating fund for the fair. The Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority performs an annual audit on the fair. He explained the fair had four sources of revenue: (1) gate receipts; (2) carnival; (3) rodeo; and (4) sponsorship and advertising.
Chairman Arberry asked if the fair charged fees to vendors. Mr. Bowler stated non-food vendors were charge $300 and food vendors $250.
Mr. Marvel suggested the fair incorporate horse racing. Mr. Robison stated the fair did not have facilities for horse racing but did serve the rodeo circuit. Mr. Bowler interjected the Board continually safeguards the family atmosphere of the fair.
Mr. Robison stated he would leave a promotional tape and brochure of the 1992 Clark County Fair. (These materials are on file in the Fiscal Division of the Sedway Office Building.)
Chairman Arberry called for a motion on SB 32.
MR. MARVEL MOVED TO DO PASS.
MRS. EVANS SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
There being no further business before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
_________________________
Courtnay Berg
Committee Secretary
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Assembly Committee on Ways and Means
March 1, 1993
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