The Senate Committee on Natural Resources was called to order by Chairman Dean A. Rhoads, at 1:45 p.m., on Wednesday, March 3, 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 Maggie Carlton

Senator Bob Coffin (Excused)

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

Fred Welden, Committee Policy Analyst

Scott Corbett, Committee Secretary

OTHERS PRESENT:

Fred Welden, Committee Policy Analyst, Research Division, Legislative Counsel Bureau, explained that Senate Concurrent Resolution (S.C.R.) 15 and S.C.R. 16 were both products of the interim Tahoe Regional Planning Compact oversight committee.

Mr. Welden pointed out only 3 of the 11 recommendations from the interim Tahoe Regional Planning Compact oversight committee will be seen in resolution or bill form and S.C.R. 15 and S.C.R. 16 are two of the three to be heard during the seventieth session. Mr. Welden went on to explain, the inmate labor outlined in S.C.R. 15 is primarily used by the Nevada Department of Transportation, Division of State Lands, and Division of State Parks and is coordinated through the Division of Forestry.

Chairman Rhoads asked Mr. Welden if the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact committee is a standing committee as it is related to S.C.R. 16. Mr. Welden said, "It is an interim committee. It has been reappointed every interim since 1987 except one, so it’s [it is] virtually a permanent committee."

Chairman Rhoads opened the hearing on S.C.R. 15.

Pamela B. Wilcox, Administrator and State Land Registrar, State Land Use Planning Agency, Division of State Lands, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, spoke in support of both S.C.R. 15 and S.C.R. 16. Ms. Wilcox acknowledged the work of the inmate crews, especially the women crews, and commented that having them is a "win-win situation" for the agencies that use them and for the inmates.

Roy W. Trenoweth, State Forester Firewarden, Division of Forestry, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, concurred with the comments made from Ms. Wilcox.

Chairman Rhoads asked Mr. Trenoweth if the demand for inmate labor has increased or decreased over the years, and Mr. Trenoweth responded by saying the numbers have stayed consistent. Senator Jacobsen added the inmate crews are essential and they do a great job.

Senator McGinness asked Mr. Trenoweth if there are many controversies over the conflict of inmate crews working against local contractors or builders. Mr. Trenoweth commented there have been few incidences over the years, but the inmate crews will back away if there are paid crews available to do the same job.

Steve L. Teshara, Lobbyist, Lake Tahoe Gaming Alliance, expressed support on behalf of the people of Lake Tahoe for the inmate work crews and the needed work they do for Lake Tahoe.

Chairman Rhoads closed the hearing on S.C.R. 15 and opened the hearing on S.C.R. 16.

Pamela Drum, Public Affairs Coordinator, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), explained there is a Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board that meets on a monthly basis. It was created by the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact which is different from the legislative interim Tahoe Regional Planning Compact oversight committee. Ms. Drum commented the legislative interim committee is highly effective in coordinating communication between the TRPA and the Nevada Legislature.

Senator James mentioned he is a member of the interim Tahoe Regional Planning Compact oversight committee and that this committee performs a critical legislative oversight function. Senator James added since the TRPA is a bi-state compact agency (California and Nevada), the interim Tahoe Regional Planning Compact oversight committee is needed to assure the TRPA is operating with Nevada’s environmental policies in regards to Lake Tahoe. Senator James called attention to the fact that Nevada’s participation is critical because California had tried to pull their funding portion and their involvement in the TRPA in the past.

Ms. Drum replied the problem with California, in regards to the TRPA, has been the election of board members from the local population as opposed to local and statewide representation. Senator James said California does not have a legislative oversight committee like Nevada for the TRPA. He added in order to keep the Legislature updated and informed on issues the oversight committee should be continued.

Mr. Teshara urged the natural resources committee members to continue the interim Tahoe Regional Planning Compact oversight committee and agreed with Senator James’ comments.

Chairman Rhoads closed the hearing on S.C.R. 16.

*****

There being no further business before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 2:05 p.m.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

Scott Corbett,

Committee Secretary

APPROVED BY:

Senator Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman

DATE: