MINUTES OF THE
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Sixty-seventh Session
May 4, 1993
The Senate Committee on Finance was called to order by Chairman William J. Raggio, at 8:05 a.m., on Tuesday, May 4, 1993, in Room 223 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Senator William J. Raggio, Chairman
Senator Raymond D. Rawson, Vice Chairman
Senator Lawrence E. Jacobsen
Senator Bob Coffin
Senator William R. O'Donnell
Senator Matthew Q. Callister
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Diana M. Glomb (Excused)
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Dan Miles, Fiscal Analyst
Bob Guernsey, Principal Deputy Fiscal Analyst
Dee Crawford, Committee Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
Judy Matteucci, Director, Department of Administration
* * * * *
Radiological Health - Page l538
Dan Miles, Fiscal Analyst, Legislative Counsel Bureau, distributed Exhibit C and explained the adjustments to the budget were due to reclassification of a Program Assistant position which occurred after the development of the Governor's Executive Budget. The reclassification adds $2,500 each year to the agency's Salary category.
Mr. Miles reminded the committee that during yesterday's meeting, the committee voted to leave this agency within the auspices of the Health Division. Organizationally, this agency is tied to the Department of Health Protection budget, he advised. Since the agency will be remaining within the Health Division, he clarified, there will be an adjustment between the categories of State-owned and Nonstate-owned Building Rent, as outlined in the exhibit material.
SENATOR RAWSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH ADJUSTMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS (EXHIBIT C) TO MODIFY THE AGENCY SALARY AND RENT CATEGORIES.
SENATOR COFFIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR GLOMB WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
* * * * *
Radioactive Material Disposal Trust Fund - Page l543
Exhibit D was distributed to the committee. Senator Raggio pointed out the Governor's recommendation for this budget anticipates the closure of the Beatty site.
SENATOR RAWSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR.
SENATOR COFFIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR GLOMB WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
* * * * *
Mr. Miles distributed Exhibit E, Joint Committee Budget Action Full Closing Report, dated May 3, l993, (Exhibit E - Original on File in the Research Library) to the committee and provided a brief overview of the adjustments.
Law Library - Page 87
Mr. Miles pointed out adjustments in this budget were made for the Property Insurance category.
Judicial Discipline Commission - Page l09
Mr. Miles reminded the committee it added $5,000 for office equipment, including a computer and facsimile machine. The Assembly Committee on Ways and Means added $3,400 per year for two more commission meetings and remodelling expenses.
Dairy Commission - Page 475
It was reported this budget was closed by both committees as recommended by the Governor. Mr. Miles pointed out the State Dairy Commission's membership remains as currently stipulated in the statutes. The Assembly Committee on Ways and Means proposed the executive director be selected by the Governor from a list of names provided by the State Dairy Commission.
Senator Rawson requested the opinion of Senator Jacobsen regarding the proposal submitted by the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means.
Senator Jacobsen responded he did not deem the proposed change necessary.
Department of Museums and History - Page ll20
It was pointed out the Senate Committee on Finance closed this budget as recommended by the Governor. The Assembly Committee on Ways and Means deleted the reorganization savings and created a vacancy savings in its place.
Nevada State Library - Page ll59
State Museum - Las Vegas - Page ll39
It was stated the Gifts and Donations category was broadened to include sale of materials.
Senator Rawson cautioned that decision may jeopardize Nevada's accreditation by the National Association of Museums.
Senator O'Donnell explained although those budgets were closed, subsequent to closing, a request for a change in the law was added to allow the departments to sell material.
Senator Coffin explained the Nevada State Library currently has the authority to sell material. With the guidelines subscribed by the National Association of Museums, the act of using proceeds from the sale of artifacts for operating expenses breaches the ethics of the association.
Mr. Miles clarified both the National Ethics Standard and the current state law allows the agency to sell artifacts, but the proceeds have to be used to purchase more artifacts. "It can't be used for operating expenses or personnel," he insisted.
Judy Matteucci, Director, Department of Administration, interjected to explain there is a standard requirement that if excess property is sold, the proceeds of that sale have to be returned to the fund of origin. "So if you open it up for this one, you're going to open up the whole can of worms as to disposition of excess property," she warned.
Senator Coffin interjected:
...When they sold the warrants over the last l0 years, our law required that the Purchasing [Division] do the sales and that the money go into General Fund. So although those documents and gifts were in the possession of the State Library and Archives, they could have raised $l00,000 for themselves to use as they saw fit. But they probably couldn't have used it for operating. They could have used it for advancing additional purchases of artifacts. They had to give it back to the state General Fund and I think this is what I had in mind as far as a change in the NRS [Nevada Revised Statutes]....
Ms. Matteucci responded she would oppose such a concept.
Senator Raggio quoted NRS 381.008:
When not in conflict with any condition or restraint placed on a gift and with approval of the board the director or curator of each institution of the department may sell duplicates, surplus, and items inappropriate to the collection of the institution. Proceeds of the sale must be held in trust, may be expended only for the purchase of photographs, memorabilia and other historical articles and objects to enrich the collection of the institution.
Mr. Miles pointed out the major differences between the two closing actions. The Senate Committee on Finance added $26,000 to the Bookmobile category, "which was $l3,000 General Fund and $l3,000 as a county challenge match, and also expanded the revenue item Gifts and Donations to include sales of materials." The reorganization savings was deleted and changed to vacancy savings, which is the same action taken by the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means. Mr. Miles pointed out, "What they did in addition to that reorganization vacancy savings transfer is they have increased the Bookmobile budget by $26,000."
Under the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means proposal, $77,000 each year would be used by the state library as opposed to being granted out, Mr. Miles summarized.
Nevada State Council on The Arts - Page ll77
The Senate Committee on Finance reinstated the longevity pay in the amount of $800, Mr. Miles indicated.
Museum, Library and Arts Administration - Page ll82
Mr. Miles said the exact changes were made by both committees, they were merely summarized in a different fashion.
Senator O'Donnell requested committee approval of a bill draft request which indicates a fee, or increase in tax, be shown as a debit in the fiscal note to indicate a positive impact to the General Fund.
SENATOR O'DONNELL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE A BILL DRAFT REQUEST WHICH WOULD REFLECT THE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE IMPACT ON BUDGET REVENUES.
SENATOR JACOBSEN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR GLOMB WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
There being no further business to come before the committee, Senator Raggio adjourned the meeting at 8:45 a.m. to meet jointly with the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means at 9:00 a.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Dee Crawford,
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Senator William J. Raggio, Chairman
DATE:
??
Senate Committee on Finance
May 4, 1993
Page 1