MINUTES OF THE
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES AND FACILITIES
Sixty-seventh Session
January 20, 1993
The Senate Committee on Human Resources and Facilities was called to order by Chairman Raymond D. Rawson, at 1:30 p.m., on Wednesday, January 20, 1993, in Room 226 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Senator Raymond D. Rawson, Chairman
Senator William R. O'Donnell, Vice Chairman
Senator Randolph J. Townsend
Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr.
Senator Bob Coffin
Senator Diana M. Glomb
Senator Lori Brown
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Pepper Sturm, Research Analyst
Tanya Morrison, Committee Secretary
Judy Alexander, Committee Secretary
* * * * *
Chairman Rawson presented the committee with a copy of standing rules (Exhibit C).
Senator Glomb asked if the bills brought to this committee were up to the discretion of the chairman or the committee as a whole. Chairman Rawson told her the decision is at the discretion of the chair. Senator Glomb then asked what recourse a senator would have if the chairman chose not to hear a particular bill by another senator. Chairman Rawson stated the way he set up the rules for this committee, the decision on what goes on the agenda is set up by the chairman but, he further stated he would try to work with any committee member who had some concern with a bill.
SENATOR COFFIN MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RULES.
SENATOR TOWNSEND SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. (SENATOR O'DONNELL WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
* * * * *
Chairman Rawson presented BILL DRAFT REQUEST (BDR) 34-332, BDR 34-333, BDR 34-699, BDR 34-551, BDR 40-706, BDR 34-235, BDR 34-233, BDR 40-911, BDR 39-653, BDR 38-216, BDR 34-550, BDR 34-543, BDR 40-486, BDR 39-661, BDR 40-627, BDR 40-629, BDR 34-231, BDR 40-664 and BDR 38-213.
BDR 34-332 - Creates legislative committee on education.
SENATOR GLOMB MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 34-332.
SENATOR TOWNSEND SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. (SENATOR O'DONNELL WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
* * * * *
BDR 34-333 - Requires development of state plan for educational technology.
SENATOR TOWNSEND MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 34-333.
SENATOR GLOMB SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. (SENATOR O'DONNELL WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
* * * * *
BDR 34-699 - Requires development of program to provide educational services for homeless children.
SENATOR GLOMB MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 34-699.
SENATOR TOWNSEND SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. (SENATOR O'DONNELL WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
* * * * *
BDR 34-551 - Expands eligible participants in program of nutrition provided through schools.
SENATOR TOWNSEND MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 34-551.
SENATOR COFFIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. (SENATOR O'DONNELL WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
* * * * *
BDR 40-706 - Authorizes sale of controlled substances or dangerous drugs to certain persons and agencies that provide emergency care in order to stock ambulances and other authorized vehicles.
SENATOR TOWNSEND MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 40-706.
SENATOR GLOMB SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
BDR 34-235 - Changes grades during which examinations for achievement and proficiency must be given to pupils.
SENATOR TOWNSEND MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 34-235.
SENATOR GLOMB SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
BDR 34-233 - Removes certain restrictions on transfer and reassignment of unlicensed educational employees.
SENATOR TOWNSEND MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 34-233.
SENATOR GLOMB SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
BDR 40-911 - Requires certain entities who receive money from state to establish policy to ensure workplace is free of illegally used drugs and alcohol.
SENATOR O'DONNELL MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 40-911.
SENATOR TOWNSEND SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
BDR 39-653 - Clarifies that transferral of certain medical records may not violate applicable federal law.
SENATOR GLOMB MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 39-653.
SENATOR TOWNSEND SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
BDR 38-216 - Authorizes county to exclude indigent person deemed to be employable and with no dependent children from cash grants for necessary maintenance.
SENATOR COFFIN MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 38-216.
SENATOR TOWNSEND SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
BDR 34-550 - Allows pupil to apply credits received for certain courses of education completed at community college or university to total number of credits required for graduation from high school.
SENATOR COFFIN MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 34-550.
SENATOR O'DONNELL SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
BDR 34-543 - Changes date by which superintendent of public instruction must submit certificate to certain county clerks stating number and offices of trustees of county school district to be filled at next general election.
SENATOR O'DONNELL MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 34-543.
SENATOR COFFIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
BDR 40-486 - Authorizes certain additional persons to enforce laws pertaining to illegal disposal of garbage.
SENATOR O'DONNELL MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 40-486.
SENATOR TOWNSEND SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
BDR 39-661 - Makes various changes regarding emergency admissions to mental health facilities.
SENATOR O'DONNELL MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 39-661.
SENATOR TOWNSEND SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
BDR 40-627 - Redefines "surgical center for ambulatory patients" for purposes of licensure and regulation.
SENATOR GLOMB MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 40-627.
SENATOR TOWNSEND SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
BDR 40-629 - Eliminates privies and cess pools as acceptable method of sewage disposal.
SENATOR GLOMB MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 40-629.
SENATOR O'DONNELL SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR COFFIN VOTED NO.)
* * * * *
BDR 34-231 - Makes order for payment of money belonging to school district void if not presented for payment within certain time after issuance.
SENATOR TOWNSEND MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 34-231.
SENATOR O'DONNELL SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
BDR 40-664 - Provides for certain assistance to victims of sexual assault regarding exposure to sexually transmitted diseases.
SENATOR GLOMB MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 40-664.
SENATOR BROWN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
BDR 38-213 - Excludes financial resources of certain incapacitated persons in determining eligibility for assistance to medically indigent persons.
SENATOR TOWNSEND MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 38-213.
SENATOR GLOMB SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
Chairman Rawson presented the committee with bill draft requests from Senator Glomb by The Interim Committee to Study the Division of Child and Family Services as set down by Senate Bill 611 of the Sixty-sixth Session.
SENATE BILL 611 OF THE SIXTY-SIXTH SESSION: Makes various changes regarding provisions of services for children and families.
Senator Townsend requested the committee hear all the BILL DRAFT REQUEST (BDR) summaries and then take one vote on all of them. Chairman Rawson agreed.
BDR 11-407 - Requires relinquishments and consents to adoption to be witnessed by licensed clinical social worker and furnished to welfare division of department of human resources.
BDR 57-409 - Requires specified policies of insurance that provide coverage for birth of child to provide coverage for birth of child who is adopted by insured under certain circumstances.
BDR 38-490 - Provides cost-of-living increases for reimbursements paid to foster parents.
BDR 11-405 - Prohibits persons and organizations not licensed to place children for adoption from advertising certain services relating to adoption of children.
BDR 11-404 - Eliminates requirement that adoptive parents of child with special needs have limited financial resources to receive financial assistance.
BDR 3-401 -Protects foster parents against certain civil liabilities.
BDR 18-400 - Requires division of child and family services of department of human resources to adopt certain regulations in accordance with Nevada Administrative Procedure Act.
BDR 11-403 - Permits natural and adoptive parents to choose whether and how much information to exchange.
BDR 18-408 - Provides for establishment of fees for child and family services.
BDR 11-410 - Requires division of child and family services of department of human resources to take certain actions if powers and duties relating to investigation of prospective adoptive home are assigned to division.
BDR 11-406 - Authorizes acceptance of gifts and grants for production of booklet on adoption.
BDR 11-402 - Allows licensed child-placing agency to investigate home where child is to be placed for adoption.
SENATOR COFFIN MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 11-407, BDR 57-409, BDR 38-490, BDR 11-405, BDR 11-404, BDR 3-401, BDR 18-400, BDR 11-403, BDR 18-408, BDR 11-410, BDR 11-406 and BDR 11-402.
SENATOR GLOMB SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
Chairman Rawson called on Pepper Sturm, Research Analyst, Legislative Counsel Bureau to highlight an Issue Brief on Senate Committee on Human Resources and Facilities and an Issue Brief on Education for the committee.
Pepper Sturm referred to the pie chart, Exhibit D. He explained the chart shows percentage of the general fund taken out by specific functions of state government. He pointed out one side shows a pie for 1981-1983 biennium illustrating percentages of the general fund appropriation taken out by those agencies and the other pie shows General Fund Appropriations for 1991-1993. He stated although these tend to fluctuate a tiny bit during a different biennium there was a slow growth, especially in education and human resources, which are the two subject areas this committee was responsible for. Mr. Sturm stated, "While the total of education and human resources combined has grown from 76 percent of the total general fund appropriations to 79 percent, you must realize 1 percent growth represents $20 million." He told the committee what this implies is education, both higher and secondary, are targets for cuts as well as human resources. Said Mr. Sturm,"... the squeeze that is put on the remaining percentages is significant. It makes new programs and expansions in human resources and education more difficult, especially in tough fiscal times."
Chairman Rawson pointed out to Mr. Sturm and the committee members how percentages on the chart did not look as dramatic when looked at in actual dollar values. He stated the state had a population growth of about 5.6% per year but, the growth in Medicaid was about 17.9%, three times as much as the population growth. He stated the upshot of this shows 23.3% of the pie in 1981 and 23.7% in 1991 which does not look like anything to get excited about but, the actual dollar value is astounding.
Mr. Sturm then turned the committee's attention to the first Issue Brief of the Senate Committee on Human Resources and Facilities, (Exhibit E). The committee members reviewed the Issue Brief with Mr. Sturm. After completion of the review of the Issue Brief on Human Resources and Facilities,Exhibit E, Mr. Sturm then reviewed the Issue Brief on Education, (Exhibit F) with the committee members.
Chairman Rawson presented to the committee another BILL DRAFT REQUEST (BDR).
BDR 40-500 - Makes certain changes regarding judicial review of request from minor seeking abortion.
SENATOR COFFIN MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 40-500.
SENATOR TOWNSEND SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. (SENATOR NEAL WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
* * * * *
There being no further business, Chairman Rawson adjourned the meeting at 3:15 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Tanya Morrison
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Senator Raymond D. Rawson, Chairman
DATE:
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Senate Committee on Human Resources and Facilities
January 20, 1993
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