The Senate Committee on Government Affairs was called to order by Chairman Ann O'Connell, at 3:50 p.m., Saturday, May 29, 1999, in Room 2149 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster. All exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

Senator Ann O'Connell, Chairman

Senator William J. Raggio, Vice Chairman

Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr.

Senator Terry Care

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator William R. O’Donnell

Senator Jon C. Porter

Senator Dina Titus

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

Julie Burdette, Committee Secretary

OTHERS PRESENT:

Chairman O’Connell requested that those in support of Assembly Bill (A.B.) 519,

come forward with an explanation of the bill and the reasons it had not come before the committee earlier in the session.

Stephen A. Shaw, Administrator, Division of Child and Family Services, Department of Human Resources, explained that A.B. 519 was a State of Nevada Juvenile Justice Commission bill and that Larry Carter would give the committee the background of the bill. Mr. Shaw indicated he would also answer any questions the committee might have.

Larry Carter, Juvenile Justice Specialist, Planning Evaluation and Program Development, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, defined his position as staff to the State of Nevada Juvenile Justice Commission and juvenile justice specialist for the State of Nevada. Mr. Carter noted that the beginning of A.B. 519 was July 22, 1998 when the commission received a letter of intent to the State of Nevada Juvenile Justice Commission from Senator William J. Raggio, Washoe County Senatorial District No. 3 and Assemblyman Morse Arberry, Jr., Clark County Assembly District No.7. The letter requested that the State of Nevada Juvenile Justice Commission investigate whether the Division of Child and Family Services and Youth Correctional Services in the division would be better served by treating Youth Correctional Services as a separate division.

Mr. Carter pointed out the task was given to the State of Nevada Juvenile Justice Commission to look at this issue and report back to the Legislature. The policy and legislative committee of the State of Nevada Juvenile Justice Commission held three public hearings; one in Elko, one in Reno and one in Las Vegas in February 1998. In May 1998, the State of Nevada Juvenile Justice Commission voted to accept the recommendations of their policy and legislative committee for youth corrections to stay within the Division of Child and Family Services and not become a separate division. Along with that recommendation, the policy and legislative committee also recommended that there be a deputy administrator, specifically assigned to youth correction functions.

On June 30, 1998, these recommendations were sent to the Nevada Legislature through letters from Willie B. Smith, Chairman, State of Nevada Juvenile Justice Commission at that time, to Senator Raggio and Assemblyman Arberry.

Mr. Carter reiterated, that included in the letters was a recommendation that the division create a deputy administrator position. The State of Nevada Juvenile Justice Commission believes this position is essential for the coordination and attention that the juvenile justice system needs and deserves. This has been a State of Nevada Juvenile Justice Commission priority since the creation of the Division of Child and Family Services in 1991. This position is also supported by the Nevada Juvenile Justice Administrators (Mr. Carter is the vice president of that association). A vote was taken in April 1998 to support the State of Nevada Juvenile Justice Commission’s position on this issue. Mr. Carter summarized by stating he would provide any other comments, answers or insight on A.B. 519.

Senator Raggio said that he was curious as to how A.B. 519 was amended. The amendment did not appear to do much. He requested that they explain the difference in the language for the committee.

Mr. Shaw responded that the original bill was 56 sections long. It was amended to delete sections 2 through 56. So the bill looks a little different than it did when it was introduced.

Senator Raggio indicated he had no further questions, nor did other members of the committee.

SENATOR RAGGIO MOVED TO DO PASS A.B. 519.

SENATOR NEAL SECONDED THE MOTION.

Chairman O’Connell noted that the paperwork for Senate Bill (S.B.) 544 had not been delivered, but it was the Chairman’s understanding that it was enroute to the committee.

Senator O’Connell stated that an amendment had been added to S.B. 544. The Chairman also noted that the Assembly had a dual referral. The referral first went to the Assembly Committee on Government Affairs and then it was re-referred to Assembly Committee on Ways and Means. Senator O’Connell reminded the committee members that this was the bill concerning health programs for public employees. An amendment had been added while the bill was in the Assembly Committee on Government Affairs; that is Amendment No. 873. Senator O’Connell noted that the only substantive change involved extending the time period to 1 year before certain groups of employees could leave the system.

When the bill reached the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, that committee increased the time period by another 6 months. Chairman O’Connell stated that it was her understanding that everyone agreed to the amendment in the Assembly Committee on Government Affairs, but they objected strongly to Amendment No. 1199, that was attached by the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means and Assemblywoman Giunchigliani.

Chairman O’Connell asked for the committee’s decision as far as acceptance or rejection of the amendments.

Senator Raggio stressed that he did not think the committee should concur on Amendment No. 1199, and then concur on Amendment No. 873. He did not see a problem with that amendment. It would merge the Interim Benefits Committee into the Interim Retirement Committee.

Senator O’Connell asked Senator Neal if he could agree with Amendment No. 873. Senator Neal replied that he could agree.

Senator Care recalled that he had initially voted against S.B. 544 but could agree with Amendment No. 873.

The Chairman thanked the members of the committee and declared the meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

Julie Burdette,

Committee Secretary

APPROVED BY:

Senator Ann O'Connell, Chairman

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