The Senate Committee on Natural Resources was called to order by Chairman Dean A. Rhoads, at 1:30 p.m., on Wednesday, February 17, 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 Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman

Senator Lawrence E. Jacobsen, Vice Chairman

Senator Mike McGinness

Senator Mark A. James

Senator Raymond C. Shaffer

Senator Bob Coffin

Senator Maggie Carlton

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

Fred Welden, Committee Policy Analyst

Scott Corbett, Committee Secretary

OTHERS PRESENT:

Chairman Rhoads requested a motion on Senate Joint Resolution (S.J.R.) 2.

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Chairman Rhoads called forth Terry R. Crawforth, Administrator, Division of Wildlife, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, to give testimony on a bill draft request (BDR) the division is requesting.

Mr. Crawforth requested the Senate Committee on Natural Resources sponsor a BDR pertaining to removing Rocky Mountain Elk from the alternative livestock list.

Senator Coffin asked Mr. Crawforth if there are any bills that could be amended to incorporate this request, and Mr. Crawforth replied he is not aware of any such bills.

Senator McGinness asked Mr. Crawforth if anyone is presently farming elk in Nevada, and Mr. Crawforth remarked there is presently no farming of elk in the State of Nevada.

Chairman Rhoads asked for a motion to request a BDR to remove elk as an alternative livestock.

Chairman Rhoads requested a BDR be drafted to allow action to be taken on the state water plan if necessary.

Chairman Rhoads opened the hearing on Senate Bill (S.B.) 105.

Terry R. Crawforth, Administrator, Division of Wildlife, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, commented that S.B. 105 is an agency request to make adjustments to current statutes regarding special permits. Mr. Crawforth went on to say the division would like to delete the requirement for a fishing license on specific private ponds. Currently there are 3 types of private farm pond licenses (private use, $5 permit, and commercial) and there are fewer than 50 of these private ponds across the state.

Chairman Rhoads asked if these changes would result in a loss of revenue. Mr. Crawforth explained these changes would cause a very minor loss of revenue.

Senator Coffin inquired if any of these private ponds were tied into other waterways and if the permitting process involves the prevention of disease in fish stock. Mr. Crawforth responded by saying part of the permitting process is disease-free certification and most of these ponds are not part of another watercourse.

Chairman Rhoads closed the hearing on S.B. 105 and opened the hearing on S.B. 106.

Mr. Crawforth continued with testimony on this bill by asking to remove the approximately 1200 special permits (other than hunting, fishing and trapping) for 32 different licenses from the demerit system. Mr. Crawforth explained that violation of provisions regarding these special permits requires the division to issue citations, go through a criminal process and generate demerits. Mr. Crawforth requested they make this an administrative matter by removing these special permits and entitle people violating these special permit provisions to a hearing before the Board of Wildlife Commissioners without taking criminal action.

Chairman Rhoads closed the hearing on S.B. 106 and there being no further business before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 2:25 p.m.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

Scott Corbett,

Committee Secretary

APPROVED BY:

Senator Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman

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