MINUTES OF THE
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AND OPERATIONS
Sixty-seventh Session
June 29, 1993
The Senate Committee on Legislative Affairs and Operations was called to order by Chairman Mike McGinness, at 4:06 p.m., on Tuesday, June 29, 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 Mike McGinness, Chairman
Senator William J. Raggio, Vice Chairman
Senator Raymond D. Rawson
Senator R. Hal Smith
Senator Dina Titus
Senator Diana M. Glomb
Senator Matthew Q. Callister
GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:
Assemblywoman Jan Evans, Washoe Assembly District 30
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
John Crossley, Director, Legislative Counsel Bureau
Bob Erickson, Research Director, Legislative Counsel Bureau
Mavis Scarff, Committee Secretary
Senator McGinness introduced Assemblywoman Jan Evans, Washoe Assembly District 30, who addressed Senate Concurrent Resolution (S.C.R.) 46.
Senate Concurrent
Resolution 46: Directs Legislative Commission to conduct interim study concerning method of establishing Legislative Budget Office. (BDR R-2141)
Mrs. Evans discussed the need to do a study rather than just go ahead and create a budget office. She noted that their concern is how it would look, how it would function and operate, and how it would interface with the executive Budget Office. She noted that going forward thoughtfully, systematically, working in concert with the executive branch in designing such an office, would best be addressed by an interim study.
Senator Glomb asked if the purpose of the study would be for Nevada to have their own budget office so that the legislature would come to the session with their own budget and compare it to the executive branch's budget?
Mrs. Evans indicated that would be one method. She said models from other states do this, whereas some have a single budget. She reminded the committee that though the analysts are privy to what the Governor finally recommends, they are not allowed to give the legislature such information until after the State of the State. She believes the legislature should be proactive rather than reactive in responding to the needs of the state.
Senator Callister asked Mrs. Evans if typically the budget office for a legislative branch is a subdivision of the fiscal staff?
Mrs. Evans responded yes and no, that it is both ways.
Senator Callister then asked does she envision that, in the end, it would result in a separate budget office?
Mrs. Evans answered yes, that would be a personal interest of hers. She noted that up to now, the legislature has not had any input or been able to exert any leadership in budget priorities.
Senator Callister stated if the goal is to have a competing initial budget proposal as the session opens, then that should be put on the table.
Mrs. Evans said it is not essential for the legislature to have its own budget document, though that may be the way the legislature will go. She said she would not presuppose what the interim study would recommend.
Senator McGinness referred to the list of interim studies supplied by Mr. Crossley (Exhibit C, page 3), indicating that he had talked with Commissioner Rankin and Senator Townsend on Senate Concurrent Resolution (S.C.R.) 8, and said they both indicated that due to President Clinton's health care proposals, they recommend that the committee not approve S.C.R. 8.
There was no disagreement and S.C.R. 8 was dropped from consideration.
The following resolutions were considered and discussed.
Senate Concurrent
Resolution 35: Directs Legislative Commission to conduct interim study to review present efforts to conserve and develop energy resources in Nevada. (BDR R-568)
Senate Concurrent
Resolution 43: Directs legislative commission to conduct interim study on taxation. (BDR R-1301)
Senate Concurrent
Resolution 46: Directs Legislative Commission to conduct interim study concerning method of establishing Legislative Budget Office. (BDR R-2141)
Senate Concurrent
Resolution 52: Directs Legislative Commission to conduct interim study of public elementary and secondary education. (BDR R-2162)
Senate Concurrent
Resolution 55: Directs Legislative Commission to conduct interim study of overtime worked by state employees and methods of complying with Fair Labor Standards Act. (BDR R-2158)
See Draft Resolution
(Exhibit D)School District to collaborate with social service agencies to strengthen family. (Senator Hickey)
Senate Bill
(S.B.) 327:Creates legislative committee to study use, allocation and management of water. (BDR S-1197)
Senate Bill 457: Creates Nevada commission on long-term planning. (BDR 18-1006)
After discussion on the various studies, there was agreement that the draft resolution to strengthen the family be dropped.
Further discussion ensued, and then Senator McGinness said, that excluding S.C.R. 8, there appeared to be a consensus that the next five studies be selected, and asked for a motion to that effect.
SENATOR RAWSON MOVED THAT S.C.R. 35, S.C.R. 43, S.C.R. 46, S.C.R. 52, AND S.C.R. 55 BE ACCEPTED AS INTERIM STUDIES.
SENATOR RAGGIO SECONDED THE MOTION WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MASSAGE THE LANGUAGE IN THESE STUDIES.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
SENATOR RAGGIO MOVED THAT THEY ADOPT THE PROPOSED WATER STUDY, S.B. 327, AS THE LAST STUDY.
SENATOR RAWSON SECONDED THE MOTION.
After discussion,
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR CALLISTER AND SENATOR GLOMB VOTED NO.)
* * * * *
Senator McGinness indicated Mr. Erickson would work with the following people regarding amendments to the adopted resolutions
S.C.R. 35 - Energy - Senator Titus
S.C.R. 43 - Tax Structure - Senator Glomb
S.C.R. 52 - Education - Senator Rawson
S.C.R. 55 - Overtime - Senator Raggio and Dan Miles
S. B. 327 - Water - Senator James or Senator Smith
There was a discussion on the amount of money, and the number of meetings that might be available for each study.
The meeting adjourned at 4:53 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Mavis Scarff,
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Senator Mike McGinness, Chairman
DATE:
??
Senate Committee on Legislative Affairs and Operations
June 29, 1993
Page 1