The subcommittee meeting of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources was called to order by Chairman Dean A. Rhoads, at 2:47 p.m., on Monday, March 15, 1999, in Room 2144 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. There was no Agenda. There was no Attendance Roster.

SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

Senator, Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman

Senator Mike McGinness

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Raymond C. Shaffer (Excused)

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

Fred Welden, Committee Policy Analyst

Scott Corbett, Committee Secretary

OTHERS PRESENT:

Joseph L. Johnson, Lobbyist, Sierra Club

C. Joseph Guild, Lobbyist, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association

Chairman Rhoads opened the work session on Senate Bill (S.B.) 310.

SENATE BILL 310: Creates rangeland resources commission. (BDR 50-1419)

Joseph L. Johnson, Lobbyist, Sierra Club, questioned if section 16 of the bill is describing the Rangeland Resources Commission (commission) as a regulatory agency, and if so how will that affect the other sections of the bill, specifically section 9, item 4 and item 7. Mr. Johnson stated he has no objection to the bill if section 16 is intended to allow the commission to perform its duties instead of passing regulations governing the use of public land.

Chairman Rhoads stated he did not know why section 16 is written to intend the commission as regulatory because the commission is not meant to adopt regulations. Fred Welden, Committee Policy Analyst, Research Division, Legislative Counsel Bureau, commented, in his opinion, the commission would not be regulating the use of land, but could adopt criteria by which they could evaluate proposals; i.e., rangeland improvement. Mr. Welden added they could do this by policy instead of regulation.

C. Joseph Guild, Lobbyist, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, said he understands Mr. Johnson’s concerns and added the commission should adopt policies and procedures to take care of its business. Mr. Guild suggested that the word "regulations" in section 16 of S.B. 310 be changed to "policies and procedures," and the intent of this bill is not to conflict with other state agencies. Mr. Johnson agreed with the proposed language change.

Chairman Rhoads called attention to the proposed amendments (Exhibit A) and discussed the seven changes. Mr. Guild brought attention to the fact that ex officio member, as used in this bill, makes the president of the Nevada Cattlemen’s and Woolgrowers Associations voting members of the commission. Chairman Rhoads stated it is the intent for the Division of Agriculture to be the billing agency for the fees for the commission and will be effective in October 1999. The bills will be sent out after January 1, 2000, and be based on the active preference Animal Unit per Month (AUM) from 1999. Mr. Welden explained the commission would be the official billing agency and collector of the fees, but the Division of Agriculture would actually manage the funds.

Senator McGinness asked if the definition of "livestock industry" has been agreed upon for this bill because under its present definition a feedlot operator could be included in this designation. Mr. Guild agreed, and commented that all industries directly related to the livestock industry should be included.

The subcommittee meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

Scott Corbett,

Committee Secretary

APPROVED BY:

Senator Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman

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