The Committee on Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Mining was called to order at 11:03 a.m., on Tuesday, April 6, 1999. Chairman Marcia de Braga presided in Room 3161 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Guest List. All Exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mrs. Marcia de Braga, Chairman

Mrs. Gene Segerblom, Vice Chairman

Mr. Douglas Bache

Mr. Lynn Hettrick

Mr. David Humke

Mr. John Marvel

Mr. Roy Neighbors

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

Mr. John Carpenter (Excused)

Mr. Jerry Claborn (Excused)

Mr. John Jay Lee (Excused)

Mr. Harry Mortenson (Excused)

Ms. Genie Ohrenschall (Excused)

Ms. Bonnie Parnell (Excused)

GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:

Assemblyman Kelly Thomas, District 16

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

OTHERS PRESENT:

Assemblyman Kelly Thomas was the first to testify in support of the proposed legislation. He said it was an oversight in construction of solid waste disposal and recycling programs to have excluded public buildings from those environmentally sound programs. The intent of the measure was to correct that oversight. The benefits of recycling were well known to all. Not to include buildings accessible to the public other than state buildings was unwise.

The measure referenced county commissioners of communities with populations of 100,000 or more as being responsible for carrying out mandatory recycling programs in public buildings. Mr. Thomas suggested exempting public schools from the legislation until specific details regarding food preparation and waste disposal had been evaluated. The measure included language to that extent. He explained the temporary exemption was necessary to give school districts time to develop programs that would be in compliance with other public institution recycling programs and because issues had to be resolved regarding specific chapters in statute that pertained exclusively to schools.

Mrs. Segerblom expressed her surprise that recycling was not mandatory in public buildings. She agreed with the assemblyman the issue needed to be addressed.

Mr. Marvel asked for a clarification on the population guidelines contained within the measure. Mr. Thomas explained the proposed legislation targeted Washoe and Clark Counties exclusively, all other counties would be exempt from the legislation. Mr. Marvel asked if the measure would create jobs and if additional fees or taxes would be levied. Mr. Thomas replied in the negative. He explained A.B. 564 did not require additional funding or fees. Both communities targeted could operate the additional recycling program within their current budgets.

David Emme, Chief of Bureau of Waste Management, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, was the next speaker to testify in support of the proposed legislation. Mr. Emme said it was important to lead by example and recognize much more could be done to enhance recycling and solid waste disposal programs. Existing revenue sources were adequate to cover costs of enhancing those two programs. Mr. Emme’s testimony was included in its entirety in Exhibit C.

Martha Tittle, representing Clark County School District, testified in support of A.B. 564. She explained there were several different programs currently operating at various sites throughout Clark County School District on an informal basis. Paper and aluminum were the most commonly recycled materials. The school district kitchens would need extra time to put their enhanced recycling programs into effect because of the nature of food preparation and strict waste disposal requirements. She assured the committee Clark County School District would be part of the program as soon as certain details had been worked out.

The Chairman said she wanted to see recycling programs expanded even further. She asked if recycling programs were cost effective as she considered the market for recycled materials to be very poor. Mr. Thomas said the measure included a safety mechanism for that possibility. If at any time the program was not cost effective it would be curtailed. He pointed out the state’s proximity to California recycling markets was a positive aspect, which ultimately guaranteed the success of the program.

Thomas Grady, representing Nevada League of Cities, spoke in support of the measure. He assured the committee the enhanced recycling program would be cost effective. The organization he presented considered a recycling goal of 35 percent statewide, up from 15 percent, to be attainable.

Joe Johnson, representing the Toiyabe Chapter of the Sierra Club, was the last to testify in support of A.B. 564. He said it was a step forward for the environment and urged the committee’s support of the measure.

The committee developed language for a proposed amendment. The amendment would do the following:

• Change line 12 on page 1 back to 25 percent (the bill proposed changing it to 33 percent).
• Add aluminum, glass and plastic to line 42 on page 6.
• Add a section which would exempt school districts from the recycling of paper, paper products, aluminum, glass and plastic used by the district if the cost to recycle was unreasonable and would place an undue burden on the operations of the district.

Mr. Bache pointed out the proposed amendment may not be appropriate where the committee was suggesting it be placed. That was because the business of school district regulation was handled in a different part of state statutes, particularly Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 391, which had similar applications for school districts. It could also be handled in the statute dealing with local governments. The proposed legislation dealt strictly with public buildings and state agencies and he did not think it possible to amend the language pertaining to schools under NRS chapters dealing with state agencies.

The Chairman said she would amend in the language as described to show the legislative intent. It would be the responsibility of Legislative Counsel Bureau Legal Division to determine the proper chapter for including the new language.

Chairman de Braga asked if there were additional questions or comments, and there were none. She called for a motion.

The Chairman asked if there was any other business before the committee and there was none. The meeting was adjourned at 11:33 a.m.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

Sharon Spencer,

Committee Secretary

APPROVED BY:

Assemblywoman Marcia de Braga, Chairman

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