The Senate Committee on Human Resources and Facilities was called to order by Chairman Raymond D. Rawson, at 8:50 p.m., on Friday, May 28, 1999, in Room 2135 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. There was no Attendance Roster. The exhibit is available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

Senator Raymond D. Rawson, Chairman

Senator Maurice Washington, Vice Chairman

Senator Bernice Mathews

Senator Valerie Wiener

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Randolph J. Townsend (Excused)

Senator Mark Amodei (Excused)

Senator Michael Schneider (Excused)

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

Linda Chapman, Committee Secretary

OTHERS PRESENT:

Brenda Erdoes, Legislative Counsel, explained that after A.B. 284 was sent to the Governor for signature, the Legal Division of the Legislative Counsel Bureau realized some technical correction was necessary.

Ms. Erdoes testified the legislative intent was to deliver fluoridation to counties having a population of 400,000 or more. The bill was drafted incorrectly referencing each "public water system" that serves a population of 400,000 or more. Ms. Erdoes continued A.B. 689 adds "water authority" to all definitions, and places an advisory question on the November 7, 2000 general election ballot to ask if fluoridation should be ceased.

Chairman Rawson commented this issue is not about fluoridation; it is about assuring fluoridation is handled properly.

Lucille Lusk, Lobbyist, Nevada Concerned Citizens, testified the section of the bill referring to the advisory question on the November 7, 2000 ballot should be phrased, "should the water authority and each public water system in this county that serve a population of 100,000 persons or more continue the fluoridation of the water?" Ms. Lusk opined such verbiage would avoid confusion. In answer to an inquiry by Chairman Rawson, Ms. Erdoes stated such a change would meet the conditions of a technical correction.

Chairman Rawson called for a motion on A.B. 689.

SENATOR WASHINGTON MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 689.

SENATOR WIENER SECONDED THE MOTION.

Stan R. Olsen, Lobbyist, Lieutenant, Lobbyist, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, testified A.B. 454 does two things. The bill raises the minimum punishment from 2 years to 3 years, with no probation, for the manufacturing of certain controlled substances; and authorizes peace officers to destroy materials or substances believed to be hazardous waste. Lieutenant Olsen explained the substances confiscated from methamphetamine laboratories are highly volatile and dangerous.

In reply to Senator Wiener, Lieutenant Olsen explained some of the hazardous materials are chlorine, red phosphorus, and over-the-counter drugs such as Actifed and Sudafed. These materials are combined to manufacture methamphetamine, and are considered explosive.

Senator Washington suggested the bill be amended to assure there is no conflict with truth-in-sentencing legislation. Chairman Rawson recommended, because of time constraints and the critical nature of A.B. 454, there be no amendments. He added, if necessary, a conflict could be addressed through a reviser’s bill.

SENATOR WIENER MOVED TO DO PASS A.B. 454.

SENATOR MATHEWS SECONDED THE MOTION.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

Cynthia Cook,

Committee Secretary

APPROVED BY:

Senator Raymond D. Rawson, Chairman

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