The Senate Committee on Legislative Affairs and Operations was called to order by Chairman Jon C. Porter, at 3:40 PM, on Tuesday, February 2, 1999, in Room 2144 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 Jon C. Porter, Chairman

Senator Mark A. James, Vice Chairman

Senator William J. Raggio

Senator Dina Titus

Senator Bernice Mathews

Senator Maggie Carlton

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Raymond D. Rawson (Excused)

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

Robert E. Erickson, Committee Policy Analyst

Scott G. Wasserman, Chief Committee Counsel

Emory Crews, Committee Secretary

Chairman Porter asked the committee members if they had reviewed the committee standing rules, and, if so, would like a motion to adopt the rules as written.

SENATOR JAMES MOVED TO ADOPT THE COMMITTEE RULES.

SENATOR MATHEWS SECONDED THE MOTION.

THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR RAWSON WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)

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Chairman Porter asked for a discussion concerning Senate Floor recognition before moving to the bill on the agenda. He stated numerous individuals will be recognized, and in the past resolutions have not been scheduled on a particular date. He asked the committee if one special day, or possibly one day every two weeks, or one day a month such resolutions should be scheduled. Chairman Porter stated the Senate could continue as in the past.

Senator Raggio said he would concur whenever practicable; however, the Legislature should accommodate these individuals and their families. Senator Raggio also stated the Legislature should try and schedule recognition days early in the session.

Chairman Porter thanked Senator Raggio. He then asked the committee if they would like to have fewer meetings with more bills, or more meetings with fewer bills.

Senator Raggio said this session is a little different because the bills that exist need to come out of the committees by a certain date. He said meetings must be called to accommodate that schedule. He also stated there are exempt bills that include interim study resolutions that committees cannot act on until the end of the session. Senator Raggio said he believes most committee members would like to have fewer meetings and more bills.

Chairman Porter thanked Senator Raggio for the input. He then called upon Robert E. Erickson, Committee Policy Analyst, to give an overview of some of the old bills that were covered in previous sessions and some of the new ones the committee can anticipate this session.

Mr. Erickson referred to a "Committee Brief" handout (Exhibit C) which summarized previous legislative measures to come before this committee, selected interim studies, and what to expect during this 120-day session.

Chairman Porter asked Scott G. Wasserman, Chief Committee Counsel, if the committee was only assigned two bill drafts.

Mr. Wasserman concurred, but added that studies and late printed bill drafts are exempted from the count of bills this committee can request.

Senator Porter opened the hearing on Senate Concurrent Resolution (S.C.R.) 1.

Mr. Wasserman spoke on the background of the reapportionment districting process, which included a new program by the U. S. Census Bureau, begun in 1990, that encouraged states to participate in the taking of census. In a letter to the U.S. Census Bureau dated May 28, 1998 (Exhibit D), Lorne J. Malkiewich, Director, Legislative Counsel Bureau, was designated liaison.

Mr. Wasserman explained the census program was comprised of three phases. Phase one; maps were sent to all states for reviewing streets and district boundaries. The maps were updated by the states. These corrected maps were returned to the Census Bureau. Phase two; the maps were returned to the states with street and boundary corrections added. Existing election precincts were then added by the state; this is important because the redistricting process can begin at the election precinct level. During phase three the census bureau takes the census on April 1, 2000, and has until April 1, 2001 to report the final figures to the states.

Mr. Wasserman said the Legislative Counsel Bureau (LCB) sent a letter, dated October 16, 1998 (Exhibit E), to the Census Bureau requesting priority of their report. He said the letter stated that under existing provisions of the Nevada Constitution, the Nevada Legislature would convene on the third Monday in January, 2001.

Mr. Wasserman provided a third letter (Exhibit F) written to the Census Bureau by which they were informed of Nevada’s 120-day session limit, and also that the legislative session would begin on February 5, and end on or before June 4, 2001. Further emphasis was placed on the priority of delivery of the tabulation of population figures.

Mr. Erickson briefly summarized Nevada’s Legislative Commission’s efforts taken by an interim study during the 1989 Legislative Session. He called attention to S.C.R. 1 which was based on Assembly Concurrent Resolution (A.C.R.) 15 of the Sixty-fifth Session.

ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 15 OF THE SIXTY-FIFTH SESSION: Directs Legislative Commission to study requirements for reapportionment in Nevada. (BDR R-187)

Mr. Erickson revealed committee efforts and problems the Legislature dealt with at that time.

Senator Raggio asked if mention of the study committee referred to the Legislative Commission.

Mr. Wasserman replied the study would be undertaken by the Legislative Commission, but they would appoint a committee to carry out the interim study. He said the committee would report back to the Legislative Commission at the end of their study.

Senator Raggio stated as long as each house has a different majority party the study committee composition would have to reflect that situation. He said otherwise you might have one party directing the study committee. He stated the committee may have to make that clear.

Chairman Porter said that in original discussions prior to submitting language under page 2, lines 6 through 11, of S.C.R. 1, it was mentioned that 10 years ago hardware and software were discussed. He said one of the options this committee should consider is to determine if there should be committee hearings concerning the purchase of software.

Mr. Wasserman replied the resolution as drafted allows the committee to make that decision. He asked, "Do you want to do it during the legislative session or during the interim?"

Chairman Porter stated he would prefer the committee not act upon S.C.R. 1 today.

Chairman Porter closed discussion on S.C.R. 1 and introduced two bill draft requests (BDRs).

Chairman Porter requested a motion to introduce BDR R-493.

SENATOR RAGGIO MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR R-493.

SENATOR MATHEWS SECONDED THE MOTION.

THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR RAWSON WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)

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Chairman Porter requested a motion to introduce BDR R-482.

SENATOR MATHEWS MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR R-482.

SENATOR RAGGIO SECONDED THE MOTION.

THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR RAWSON WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)

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Chairman Porter adjourned the meeting at 4:19 p.m.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

Emory Crews,

Committee Secretary

APPROVED BY:

Senator Jon C. Porter, Chairman

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