MINUTES OF THE
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND LABOR
Sixty-seventh Session
June 14, 1993
The Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor was called to order by Chairman Randolph J. Townsend, at 8:30 a.m., on Monday, June 14, 1993, in Room 227 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Senator Randolph J. Townsend, Chairman
Senator Sue Lowden, Vice Chairman
Senator Ann O'Connell
Senator Mike McGinness
Senator Raymond C. Shaffer
Senator Leonard V. Nevin
Senator Lori L. Brown
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Beverly Willis, Committee Secretary
Brian Davie, Senior Research Analyst
OTHERS PRESENT:
Stephanie Tyler, Lobbyist, Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners
John A. Hunt, Attorney, Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners
Tim Carlson, Commissioner, Division of Economic Development
Senator Townsend opened the meeting by noting that Senate Bill (S.B.) 532 would be held for a work session on Friday, June 18.
The next order of business was S.B. 531.
SENATE BILL 531: Requires board of dental examiners of Nevada to charge fee to review certain courses of continuing education for accreditation and provides that certain records of the board are confidential.
First to testify was Stephanie Tyler, Lobbyist, Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners, who introduced John A. Hunt, Attorney, Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners. Mr. Hunt explained the provisions of S.B. 531 and the necessity for this legislation.
SENATOR NEVIN MOVED TO DO PASS S.B. 531.
SENATOR LOWDEN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
Senator Townsend closed the hearing on S.B. 531 and opened the hearing on Assembly Bill (A.B.) 235.
ASSEMBLY BILL 235: Establishes and revises various fines and penalties.
SENATOR NEVIN MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 235 WITH AMENDMENT NO. 830.
SENATOR BROWN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
Senator Townsend gave a short synopsis of Amendment No. 830 (Exhibit C).
Senator Townsend closed the hearing on A.B. 235 and opened the hearing on S.B. 510. Amendment No. 768 (Exhibit D) was presented.
SENATE BILL 510: Establishes preferred employee program for rehabilitation of injured employees.
SENATOR O'CONNELL MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS S.B. 510 WITH AMENDMENT NO. 768.
SENATOR LOWDEN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
Senator Townsend noted for the record:
The Governor had proposed in his state of the state in the bill that was put in front of us a 3-year freeze on injured workers' jobs in order to accommodate them in a back to work program. When we expressed our concern with that, he said if we chose not to process that portion of the bill, that we should responsibly come up with an alternative. This is that alternative.
Senator Townsend closed the hearing on S.B. 510 and opened the hearing on S.B. 231.
SENATE BILL 231: Requires public service commission of Nevada to adopt regulations authorizing public utilities to provide electricity to steel mills at flexible or interruptible rates.
Tim Carlson, Division of Economic Development, was next to testify. There was a detailed discussion between Senator Townsend, Senator Lowden, Senator O'Connell, Senator Nevin and Mr. Carlson regarding amendments on this bill, specifically the advantages and disadvantages of a merger between The Commission on Economic Development and the Commission on Tourism.
Senator Lowden stated for the record:
I am not against tourism.
Senator Townsend noted further action was needed on S.B. 231. He went on to say there was a vote needed in order to rescind one of the two amendments that were passed at an earlier date.
SENATOR McGINNESS MOVED TO RESCIND AMENDMENT NO. 825 OF S.B. 231.
SENATOR NEVIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATORS LOWDEN, O'CONNELL AND TOWNSEND VOTED NO.)
* * * * *
Senator Townsend closed the hearing on S.B. 231 and opened the hearing on S.B. 467.
SENATE BILL 467: Makes various changes relating to group insurance.
Senator Townsend gave an explanation of Amendment No. 766 (Exhibit E). A discussion was held by Senator Townsend, Senator Brown, Senator Nevin and Senator O'Connell.
SENATOR BROWN MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS S.B. 467 WITH AMENDMENT NO. 766.
SENATOR NEVIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
Senator Townsend closed the hearing on S.B. 467 and opened discussion on S.B. 440.
SENATE BILL 440: Includes test of person's hair as permissible test in certain circumstances to determine presence of controlled substance or other chemical.
There was a discussion between Senator Nevin, Senator Brown, Senator Lowden and Senator Townsend over the intent of S.B. 440. Senator Nevin voiced a number of concerns regarding this bill.
Senator Lowden, Senator Brown and Senator O'Connell discussed various aspects of S.B. 440 in order to answer questions posed by Senator Nevin.
Senator Lowden stated for the record:
It's not my bill, I've just been put in charge of it.
Senator Townsend closed the hearing on S.B. 440 and opened discussion on several other bills. S.B. 208 was first.
SENATE BILL 208: Revises provisions for determining status as independent contractor for purposes of unemployment compensation.
Next was S.B. 484.
SENATE BILL 484: Provides additional civil penalty for violations of certain unlawful trade practices which are directed toward elderly or disabled persons.
There was general discussion regarding the status of these bills and others and what was still necessary to be accomplished.
Senator Townsend then adjourned the meeting at 9:30 a.m. to be reconvened at 10:15.
Senator Townsend reconvened the meeting at 10:15 a.m. with S.B. 237.
SENATE BILL 237: Makes various changes relating to insurance guaranty association.
Since the wrong amendment was presented, there was no action on S.B. 237.
Next item to be addressed was Bill Draft Request (BDR) 54-2145.
BILL DRAFT REQUEST 54-2145: Provides duties and liabilities of financial planners.
SENATOR NEVIN MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR 54-2145.
SENATOR O'CONNELL SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at
10:45 a.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Beverly Willis,
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Senator Randolph J. Townsend, Chairman
DATE:
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Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor
June 14, 1993
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