MINUTES OF THE meeting
of the
ASSEMBLY Committee on Ways and Means
Seventy-First Session
March 28, 2001
The Committee on Ways and Meanswas called to order at 7:32 a.m. on Wednesday, March 28, 2001. Chairman Morse Arberry Jr. presided in Room 3137 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Guest List. All exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mr. Morse Arberry Jr., Chairman
Ms. Chris Giunchigliani, Vice Chairwoman
Mr. Bob Beers
Mrs. Barbara Cegavske
Mrs. Vonne Chowning
Mrs. Marcia de Braga
Mr. Joseph Dini, Jr.
Mr. Lynn Hettrick
Ms. Sheila Leslie
Mr. John Marvel
Mr. David Parks
Mr. Richard D. Perkins
Ms. Sandra Tiffany
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mr. David Goldwater (Excused)
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mark Stevens, Fiscal Analyst (Assembly)
Steve Abba, Principal Deputy Fiscal Analyst (Assembly)
Brian Burke, Senior Program Analyst
Lu Chen, Education Research Statistician
Russell Guindon, Deputy Fiscal Analyst
Mark Krmpotic, Program Analyst
Georgia Rohrs, Program Analyst
Kathryn Fosnaugh, Committee Secretary
Chairman Arberry advised the committee members that the first item for consideration was A.B. 516.
Assembly Bill 516: Makes appropriation to Department of Human Resources for Medicaid Management Information System. (BDR S-1412)
Speaking in favor of A.B. 516, Charles Duarte, Medicaid Administrator, Division of Health Care Financing and Policy, Department of Human Resources, said A.B. 516 requested the state's share of funding for the Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS). He explained the bill requested a state General Fund appropriation of $2,900,840 for the implementation of the division's MMIS. The state funds would be utilized to match $17.6 million in federal funds to be used on the MMIS project. He said the Federal Health Care Financing Administration would provide 90 percent federal funding for design, development, and implementation, and 75 percent federal financial participation for equipment that would be utilized during the design, development, and implementation phase of the MMIS. He explained the funds requested were the state funds estimated to be spent on the project during the upcoming fiscal biennium. Mr. Duarte said the balance of funds needed to complete the project would be requested during the Seventy-Second Legislative Session. He said the total one-time cost for the system was estimated at $25.6 million. Mr. Duarte advised the committee that the system would benefit all beneficiaries, providers, state staff, and legislators that would have dealings with the Medicaid program. He said the system would improve services provided to clients due to better and quicker eligibility information access. The system would also improve access of information for providers, improve speed of payments to providers due to electronic submission of claims, and would reduce costs to the state through enhanced operational funding from the federal government. Mr. Duarte said there would be a savings in medical costs through medical utilization review, perspective drug utilization review, and also improved information for managing the Medicaid program, enabling the division to make better policy decisions, which would ultimately improve the quality in costs and services offered to recipients.
Mr. Duarte said the Sixty-Ninth Legislative Session provided funding for the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy to complete the Business Process Reengineering (BPR) study. The BPR study documented the existing system processes, identified operational issues and alternatives to improve operations, and completed a cost benefit analysis of the recommended alternatives the state should consider. The findings of the study recognized the lack of technology to support operations was the largest impediment to good state operations. Mr. Duarte explained the division took the BPR findings and recommendations to the Seventieth Legislative Session, and based on the findings, the legislators directed the division to present additional information to the Interim Finance Committee (IFC) after the close of session. The proposed total cost of $25.6 million for building the MMIS, of which only $2,900,840 would be needed from the General Fund, was based on the findings of the BPR study. He said the division was currently in the process of completing the functional requirements of the MMIS. That phase had been delayed due to the expansion of the functional requirements that the state had adopted for the system. This also delayed the implementation of the Point of Sale system for pharmacy purposes. The June 2000 IFC approved the increased costs for a functional requirements contract. The expansion of the requirements phase would enable the division to produce a more detailed Request for Proposal (RFP), which would potentially minimize the development risk for the project. The state had hired MAXIMUS as the contractor to complete the functional requirements documentation and to assist the division in recommending the configuration and operations of the MMIS system. Along with MAXIMUS, the state staff had recently completed on-site reviews with Colorado, Utah, and Indiana and planned to visit Arizona in April. The trips allowed staff to review and compare Nevada's functional requirements with other states that have federally certified MMIS systems.
Mr. Duarte concluded his statement by saying MAXIMUS and state staff were finalizing their recommendations for system configuration, staffing impact, and cost. The information would be presented to the Project Steering Committee in April. The Steering Committee was responsible for the oversight of the project and to ensure the project stayed on track. The committee was made up of health care individuals from across the state as well as experienced state staff. Based on the recommendations from the Steering Committee, the division would provide and present to the legislators updated information on the cost and impact of the MMIS system.
Chairman Arberry asked if there were any further questions or comments regarding A.B. 516. Being none, discussion on A.B. 516 was closed with no action.
Chairman Arberry asked for testimony on A.B. 517.
Assembly Bill 517: Makes appropriation to Department of Human Resources for vehicle, furnishings and equipment for Division of Child and Family Services. (BDR S-1422)
Speaking in favor of A.B. 517, Bruce Alder, Deputy Administrator, Division of Child and Family Services, introduced Theresa Anderson, Northern Regional Deputy, Division of Child and Family Services, and Carol Johnston, Acting Rural Regional Deputy, Division of Child and Family Services.
Mr. Alder said A.B. 517 was a one-shot appropriation to the Division of Child and Family Services. He said the original request had been $167,407. After review of the request, the division was asking that the bill be amended downward to $158,475. The amended amount was due to some cost savings and the elimination of some items requested. The appropriation would cover the purchase of miscellaneous equipment, supplies, and several telephone systems for some of the district offices.
Chairman Arberry asked Mr. Alder to go over information that had been previously provided to legislative staff and review what had created the reduction. Mr. Alder said the reduction was due, in part, to some duplication within the budget. Mr. Alder explained the budget reflected the purchase of digital cameras for the rural region and part of the northern region where the division did child protective services. He explained in order to provide the courts with evidence, it was important to have good quality cameras to take pictures of children that had been abused. The original request listed the cameras in the $800 to $900 price range, but since the time of the request, technology had brought the price down, so the adjusted price currently was $500 for each camera. The duplications and the change in price of the cameras were the major factors for the reduction of the request for funds.
Mr. Alder said some of the largest items in the request for funding had been for telephone systems for the Elko office, the Reno District office on Mill Street, and for the Reno District office on Rock Boulevard. Ms. Anderson, in testimony regarding the Reno office telephone system said the Rock Boulevard site was the site that housed the foster care licensing, recruitment and training, as well as special needs adoption recruitment and training. The original phone system, Telecommunications, was purchased used, for $700, approximately eight or nine years ago and was currently in disrepair. Ms. Anderson said, as deputy, she received complaints on a weekly basis, because the voice mailbox would be full, or the lines would be busy, from families who were calling to find out about being foster and special needs parents. Telecommunications had advised the division that they should not put any more money into the system; rather they needed to replace it. She said the other office in Reno was a large child welfare office with about 40 staff members. There was a voicemail system installed, but it was also very old and did not work well. That office would like to have an automatic voicemail system, where the calls go right to the workers. Currently, social workers handled approximately 35 children, and received voluminous phone calls.
Ms. Johnston, representing the rural region, said her region included the Elko area. She said the division was asking for a new phone system for the Elko office, which housed the district office manager, child welfare social workers, and clinical social work staff. She said they had a serious problem with their current phone system, in particular with the voicemail system. Messages were delayed sometimes for several days, which hindered receiving emergency messages as well as judicial information. She explained the office only had eight outgoing lines for the entire building, which continually cut down on business processing. She said they often had problems connecting to conference calls because the system was busy. Ms. Johnston explained the system currently in use was a PBX system, but it was no longer efficient.
Chairman Arberry asked what it would take to have the system completely on-line, if A.B. 517 was approved. Ms. Johnston said she was not sure, and referred the question to Mr. Alder. Mr. Alder said he was not sure, either, but would work with the Department of Information Technology (DoIT), and it would depend on the DoIT's demands. Mr. Arberry asked if the DoIT was involved in the new phone system, or was it a task the division had taken on, with the DoIT coming on later in the process. Mr. Alder said the division went through DoIT on all the telecommunications estimates and bids related to the phone systems. Mr. Arberry reiterated that the bulk of the funds for A.B. 517 was for the phones and phone systems. Mr. Alder said yes, but that there were other miscellaneous items, like filing cabinets, and other types of equipment.
Chairman Arberry asked if there were any further questions or comments regarding A.B. 517. Being none, discussion on A.B. 517 was closed with no action.
Chairman Arberry asked for testimony regarding A.B. 521.
Assembly Bill 521: Makes appropriation to Nevada Commission for National and Community Service. (BDR S-1350)
Janice Ayres, Vice Chairman for National and Community Service Community, explained that the commission was appointed by the Governor to oversee community service projects in the state of Nevada. Ms. Ayres said the commission was requesting $325,000, which was $162,500 per annum. She referred the committee to a handout, titled "Nevada Commission for National & Community Services, Inc." (Exhibit C) and said it showed for the money requested, the commission would receive $1,280,700 per annum from federal sources for the AmeriCorps program. She explained that would mean $7.88 in federal funds for every $1 of Nevada taxpayer funds. Ms. Ayres continued, and said the administration for the program was 22 percent of the total budget. AmeriCorps members had increased from 35 in 1998 to 165 members who were currently engaged in civic service. She said the AmeriCorps programs had expanded from two programs in 1998 to seven programs in 2001. Over 250 Nevadans had received an average AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,900 each. She explained that without state support, vital, decentralized, locally-driven programs would be lost. Forty-nine Governors had signed a declaration to the United States Congress in support of AmeriCorps. She said President Bush also highly supported the program.
Shawn Lecker-Pomaville, Executive Director, Nevada Commission for National Community Service, referred to Exhibit C and pointed out the Sample Program Results. She said in Las Vegas there were 200 children, who predominately spoke English as a second language, whose reading scores were raised by a grade and a half by participating in the Serving For Success program. She referred to a second handout, "Nevada's AmeriCorps *USA Programs 2000-2001" (Exhibit D), and explained that it showed where the programs were currently located. She said the organization was located statewide, including rural areas like Ely and Elko. Ms. Lecker-Pomaville said in Las Vegas the U. S. Veterans Initiative had worked on a homelessness project with U. S. veterans. She said Washoe County had a statewide America Reads program, with members in Elko, Ely, and Clark Counties, and 14 rural counties. Over 700 students were tutored last year, and 200 volunteers were recruited who served over 600 hours. She explained that the Nevada Conservation Corps, which was located at the Great Basin Institute in Reno, had members who served over 10,000 hours in environmental projects, specifically targeting service-learning types of programs where they worked with elementary school students in the community to develop civic awareness, as well as having educational objectives.
Ms. Lecker-Pomaville said the commission had come before the committee in the previous legislative session, and had stated that if they were funded at that time they could bring in over $1 million in AmeriCorps programs, and that had been accomplished. She said the program had grown tremendously, and had a great deal of impact, was very cost effective, and it had promoted volunteerism, youth leadership, and addressed many of Nevada's unmet needs efficiently.
Mrs. de Braga said she had been involved with the commission and was a big supporter of the program since its inception. She wanted to go on record saying that the long-term benefit of the program was well worth any money invested. She commended them for doing a good job.
Mrs. Chowning said she had also seen the good works from the tutors in some of the schools in her district, where a good majority of the students did not speak English proficiently. She said teachers really appreciated the program. She asked if the source of federal funds would be ongoing. Ms. Lecker-Pomaville answered yes. She said President Bush had already appointed board members to the corporation for National Service which oversaw the program from Washington D.C. and requested the budget be steady, but with an increase of $50 million in senior programs.
Chairman Arberry asked if there were any further questions or comments regarding A.B. 521. Being none, discussion on A.B. 521 was closed with no action.
Chairman Arberry asked for testimony on A. B. 524.
Assembly Bill 524: Makes appropriation to Department of Information Technology for phase II of digital microwave upgrade. (BDR S-1358)
Terry Savage, Director, Department of Information Technology (DoIT), said what A. B. 524 basically did was replace the existing analog microwave system along the eastern half of the state with a new digital microwave system. He said the reason this was requested was the old system was dying. He explained that a lot of the equipment was quite old, and it had become increasingly difficult to acquire parts. The amount of failures from 1999 to the year 2000 increased 38 percent. Mr. Savage said it was not a case of getting worse before it got better, this situation would only get worse because it was almost impossible to find parts and in some cases parts had to be fabricated. He said, in the not too distant future, the system would become unmaintainable. A. B. 524 would allow the DoIT to replace the system with a higher capacity, more reliable digital microwave system.
Chairman Arberry asked, if approved, when would the system be on-line. Mark Blomstrom, Deputy Director, Department of Information Technology, answered it was expected to be a two-year biennial phase and would be operational at the end of the upcoming biennium. Chairman Arberry asked how many phases were involved and when would all phases be completed. Mr. Blomstrom answered there were three phases, and the department expected the entire project to be completed in FY2005. Chairman Arberry asked if the department had a final total cost, and Mr. Blomstrom said they did not have a total cost for phase three at the moment. He explained phase two contained the engineering for phase two and three. He said the original consultant costs estimate was $3.6 million for phase three, but the department expected to see additional dollars added to that phase, so they were not currently prepared to give a cost estimate for phase three. Chairman Arberry asked, since the system was being kept together piecemeal, if one side was being robbed to make the other side fit, where would phase two put the system and would the department have to continue to rob from one side to make the other side fit. Mr. Blomstrom said no, each phase of the replacement system was independently operable, and would replace the existing analog system. He explained the analog system continued to operate and would continue through the three phases of the system replacement. Phase one was 96 percent complete and the department was beginning to work on phase two; when phase two became complete it would be operable and would connect to phase one, providing the department with additional capacity. Ultimately phase three would complete a technical and architectural loop around the state, and the old analog system would be decommissioned.
Chairman Arberry asked what would happen if A. B. 524 was not passed. Mr. Blomstrom said the state microwave system provided transport for critical state communications traffic and established the foundation necessary for public radio systems such as the Nevada Department of Transportation's (NDOT) 800-megahertz system and the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety's high band system. Mr. Blomstrom advised the committee the microwave replacement project had first been proposed in 1991. The existing analog microwave system was 30 years old and had exceeded its original design life, was entirely full, having no space for additional circuits, and was operating beyond its design capacity at 103 percent. Mr. Blomstrom said the overusage created the negative effect of noise and distortion. The analog system served the state well due to the loop protective design, but because of the loop protection design the entire analog microwave system had to be maintained in full operation until it was completely replaced. All three phases of the digital system must be on-line before the analog system could be replaced. The old system was becoming more and more difficult to repair and maintain. Mr. Blomstrom informed the committee the findings of a study preformed by an outside consultant in 1996 indicated a remaining life expectancy of eight to ten years for the analog system, and five years later there continued to be indications that the study results were accurate due to the following four points:
Mr. Blomstrom said phase one of the digital microwave was funded in 1997 and had been installed between Reno, Carson City, and Las Vegas, serving ten mountaintop sites, and six rural county states in between. The first phase was 96 percent completed, on-line, and carried all state Internet traffic from Las Vegas. He said he was proud of state employees who, despite many problems, brought phase one in, on budget, and well below the consultant's original cost estimate. Phase two would provide digital communication capabilities to the eastern region of Nevada, from Las Vegas to Elko. He said phase two would provide digital services to 12 proposed mountaintop communication sites and the sites would be built to accommodate public safety mobile radio equipment. Additionally it would provide digital access to three rural county seats, Pioche, Ely, and Elko. Phase two would utilize contract engineering and project management from the design stage to the completion and acceptance stage. Much of phase one was implemented using state technical staff for engineering and aspects of installation. The use of state staff could not be duplicated for phase two because of the increased maintenance load of the deteriorating analog system and the additional work to implement and maintain the user circuit for phase one. The engineering and implementation of phase two would take two years and, when completed, would have a route length of 486 path miles.
Mr. Blomstrom said DoIT was requesting funding for phase two. If phase two was not funded the department would very likely incur higher maintenance costs due to an extended period of parallel maintenance on both the analog and the digital systems. The primary risk, and major consequence, was failure of the analog system. This would not happen all at once, but the failure rate would continue to increase taking more and more time to repair. Currently the failures would "begin to snowball" from the minor inconvenience to become the major cause of interruption in public safety communications, which would eventually interfere with Nevada's ability to maintain public safety services. The department wanted to avoid that type of situation.
Chairman Arberry said he liked how the analog system worked. Mr. Blomstrom said it had worked for 30 years.
Chairman Arberry asked if there were any further questions or comments regarding A.B. 524. Being none, discussion on A.B. 524 was closed with no action.
Assembly Bill 528: Makes appropriation to Aging Services Division of Department of Human Resources for wide area network for offices in
Reno and Las Vegas. (BDR S-1366)
Chairman Arberry said A. B. 528 had been removed from the agenda.
Chairman Arberry requested testimony for A.B. 531.
Assembly Bill 531: Makes appropriation to Department of Human Resources for vehicle, furnishings and equipment for Nevada Youth Training Center within Division of Child and Family Services. (BDR S-1372)
Bruce Alder spoke in favor of A.B. 531, which was a one-shot appropriation to the Nevada Youth Training Center of the Division of Child and Family Services, located in Elko, Nevada. The request was for $73,144 to cover the purchase of 2 replacement passenger vans, 2 utility vehicles, 200 chairs, 6 large reading chairs for the library, 5 microscopes, and 6 television sets.
Chairman Arberry asked Mr. Alder to clarify the request. Mr. Alder responded the two replacement vans were for transporting children to various activities. He explained that the division had purchased utility vans in the past for the Caliente campus and it had been determined that the utility vans were great for working out on the grounds and for transporting things around the dormitories. He said the gymnasium was being remodeled and would be used for different types of events and the 200 chairs would be used in that facility. He said, currently, chairs had to be carried from other locations to be used for activities. He said the reading chairs for the library were to replace chairs that were approximately 30 years old. The division was also asking for microscopes and television sets.
Chairman Arberry commented the request was for six television sets at $600 each and said televisions could be purchased in some stores at $200 each. Mr. Alder agreed to look into the purchase price of televisions.
Chairman Arberry asked if there were any further questions or comments regarding A.B. 531. Being none, discussion on A.B. 531 was closed with no action.
Chairman Arberry asked for testimony on A.B. 532.
Assembly Bill 532: Makes appropriation to Department of Human Resources for office equipment and remodeling at Northern Nevada Child and Adolescent Services. (BDR S-1376)
Mr. Alder introduced Les Gruner, Acting Deputy Administrator, Northern Nevada Child and Adolescent Services, Department of Human Resources. He said A.B. 532 was a request for $75,321 for a new telephone system. The system was for the Adolescent Treatment Center located on the institute grounds. They were asking for two replacement passenger vans, and the remodeling of three client bathrooms. He said the actual amount of funds requested in A.B. 532 was $75,321 but two digits were transposed and the amount should be $75,231.
Chairman Arberry asked if there were any further questions or comments regarding A.B. 532. Being none, discussion on A.B. 532 was closed with no action.
Don Hataway, Deputy Director, Budget Division, Department of Administration, explained that the reason A.B. 528 was removed from the agenda was because there was duplication in the budget. He was not sure if it would be necessary to keep the cash flow in the one-shot appropriations or in the budget. He said the division would get back to the committee on the issue.
BUDGET CLOSINGS
Mark Stevens, Fiscal Analyst, advised the committee that later adjustments might need to be made on the budgets due to modifications made by Legislative Counsel Bureau (LCB) staff. The LCB staff would make the future modifications based on more global decisions made later in the legislative process. Those decisions would include cost allocations such as the statewide cost allocation, the Attorney General cost allocation, the Department of Information Technology's cost allocation, and various department-wide cost allocations. The cost allocations were currently unknown, and the LCB staff requested approval from the committee to make the adjustments to the impacted budgets when the information was received.
Mr. Stevens said any changes in fringe benefit rates would also be an area that would impact all budgets that would need to be determined at a later date. He said if the committee felt that a fringe benefit rate or a personnel assessment, or some other assessment that crossed all budgetary lines would need to be adjusted, the LCB staff would be able to make adjustments at a later date. This would include motor pool rates, state-owned building rent, personnel payroll assessments, etc.
Mr. Stevens advised the committee where the LCB staff had reviewed data processing hardware prices with State Purchasing and found that reductions could be made. He said there was a lot of personal computer hardware, laptops, and server-type equipment that had been built into the one-shot appropriations and the ongoing budget. Mr. Stevens said the fiscal staff had contacted State Purchasing to update the prices that were built into The Executive Budget to see if money could be saved. Mr. Stevens said the recommendations for savings were as follows:
If the committee concurred, the changes would be made to the budgets as they closed.
ASSEMBLYMAN MARVEL MOVED THAT THE COMMITTEE CONCUR WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY MR. STEVENS.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN VONNE CHOWNING SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION WAS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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EDUCATION, DISCRETIONARY GRANTS RESTRICTED BUDGET PAGE K12ED-28
Mr. Stevens said the only change that the LCB staff was recommending for Budget Account 101-2709 was an adjustment to revenue, involving the Robert C. Byrd Grant. The recommendation was to increase the amount to $51,500 per year. The recommendation was based on the last Federal Funds Information for States (FFIS) report, an entity that tracked federal funding sources. The report was used as a guide to match up federal grants in most of the budget accounts for closing recommendations for the upcoming biennium.
ASSEMBLYMAN MARVEL MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYMAN DINI SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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EDUCATION, IMPROVING AMERICA'S SCHOOLS TITLES BUDGET PAGE K12ED-39
Mr. Stevens said the LCB staff had two recommendations for changes to Budget Account 101-2713, based on the FFIS report. The first recommendation was to align the federal revenues of this account to the latest information from the FFIS report, which was $124,962 in additional revenue in the Title VI program, and $778,533 in the Title II program.
Mrs. Chowning said good work had been done with the academic standards, due to the bar that had been raised in math and science. She explained students would have to have more rigorous standards in the proficiency tests and the funding would help to train teachers in the math and science areas. She said she supported the recommendations.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN CHOWNING MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYMAN MARVEL SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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EDUCATION, STUDENT INCENTIVE GRANTS BUDGET PAGE K12ED-56
Mr. Stevens advised the committee of adjustments the LCB staff had recommended for Budget Account 101-2606. He said the first two recommendations lined up federal revenues with the latest FFIS report. The other adjustments involved funding for the required match and increases in administrative costs from the university endowment. Those items amounted to the funding of $80,998 the first year of the biennium and $81,953 the second year. He said there was also a slight adjustment of revenue for a replacement computer for the university system.
Mr. Dini asked for clarification of the final figures. Mr. Stevens explained the changes recommended were for two different federal grants, a $30,195 reduction in the Federal Leveraging Education Assistance Partnership (LEAP) grant, and a $68,146 increase in the Federal Supplemental Education Assistance Partnership (SLEAP) grant. The university endowment would also be increased by approximately $80,000 to $81,000 in revenue and finally, a small adjustment had been made because the university did not want to finance a replacement computer.
ASSEMBLYMAN HETTRICK MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYMAN BEERS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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Mr. Beers expressed his concern that network adaptors were shown in various budgets priced at $175, and that was a number that needed some scrutiny. He said there were more of the network adaptors being purchased than personal computers and the $175 was an excessive price. Mr. Stevens said he would take a look at that issue and report back to the committee.
EDUCATION, SCHOOL HEALTH ED-AIDS BUDGET PAGE K12ED-72
Mr. Stevens, in reference to Budget Account 101- 2606, said there was only a small adjustment of $75 in the training area that was recommended by the LCB staff.
ASSEMBLYMAN MARVEL MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN CHOWNING SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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EDUCATION, CONTINUING EDUCATION BUDGET PAGE K12ED-97
Mr. Stevens said the only recommendation made by the LCB staff for Budget Account 101-2680 was to align federal grants revenue sources with the FFIS report that the LCB staff had recently received.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN CHOWNING MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN DE BRAGA SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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Mr. Marvel asked Mr. Stevens how often the FFIS report was received and Mr. Stevens replied periodically throughout the year, and that each report covered different grant sources. He said they had received a number of the reports in the last few weeks and the LCB had been trying to use the reports to line up federal grants. Mr. Marvel asked if the reports were very accurate, and Mr. Stevens said the reports were the best source that the LCB staff knew of. He said the reports were wrong from time to time, but the LCB staff had found the report to be a legitimate, accurate source. He said the accounts that were being discussed during the current hearing were mostly in regard to federal revenue, not state match, but if state match was involved, a further exploration of the figures would need to be completed.
Mr. Stevens explained the next three budgets were small accounts that were listed as LCB staff responsibility.
EDUCATION, NATIONAL DIRECT STUDENT LOAN BUDGET PAGE UCCSN-16
Mr. Stevens recommended Budget Account 201-2993 be closed as recommended by the Governor.
ASSEMBLYMAN DINI MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR.
ASSEMBLYMAN MARVEL SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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EDUCATION, BUSINESS CENTER NORTH BUDGET PAGE UCCSN-39 and
EDUCATION, BUSINESS CENTER SOUTH BUDGET PAGE UCCSN-58
Mr. Stevens said the LCB staff recommended Budget Accounts 101-3003 and 101-3004 be closed as recommended by the Governor.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN CEGAVSKE MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR.
ASSEMBLYMAN DINI SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION BUDGET PAGE CNR-53
Mr. Stevens said the LCB staff recommended that Budget Account 101-4149 be closed as recommended by the Governor.
ASSEMBLYMAN MARVEL MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR.
ASSEMBLYMAN PARKS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES, CONSERVATION DISTRICTS BUDGET PAGE CNR-56
Mr. Stevens said there were a couple of adjustments for Budget Account 101-4151. He said there would be adjustments for several of the Conservation accounts due to a rent decrease. The department had assumed a certain price per square footage amount for the space currently being occupied and since the budget had been formulated, there had been a decrease in the price per square foot figure. In this account the amount was small, but in other accounts the figures would be larger.
Mr. Stevens said lower hardware costs were reflected in this account as seen in decision units E-710 and E-720.
Mr. Stevens informed the committee an item that had come up in subcommittee was some dollars were listed in the out-of-state travel category and should have been listed in the in-state category and the adjustments were reflected in decision unit M-202.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN CHOWNING MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYMAN MARVEL SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES, FOREST FIRE SUPPRESSION BUDGET PAGE CNR-80
Mr. Stevens said during the last legislative session the Governor had recommended Budget Account 101-4196 pay for 50 percent of an aircraft mechanic position. What the LCB staff had tried to do was line up the cost of the aircraft mechanic position and made the corresponding adjustments. Mr. Stevens said during the current biennium this account paid for half of the position. When the LCB staff had calculated the figures, the numbers were slightly off, and the closing recommendation reflected that adjustment.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN CHOWNING MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYMAN PARKS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES, FORESTRY NURSERIES BUDGET PAGE CNR-88
Mr. Stevens said adjustments to Budget Account 101-4235 included the vehicle insurance areas, also the LCB staff had received information from the Budget Division regarding the new DoIT assessments. That information caused some adjustment to this budget, but as the LCB staff was able to study the information more thoroughly, further adjustments might have to be made, as this was one of the state cost allocations that would impact all budgets mentioned previously during the current hearing.
Mr. Stevens said other changes involved adjustments for computer prices. There were small reductions that were not from the General Fund.
ASSEMBLYMAN HETTRICK MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYMAN PARKS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES, NEVADA NATURAL HERITAGE BUDGET PAGE CNR-142
Mr. Stevens explained the first adjustment to Budget Account 101-4101 was the LCB staff's recommendation that General Fund dollars be reduced by the amount of $12,000. This was due to the same amount being held in this budget's reserve. The recommendation was to use the reserve to support the program during the upcoming biennium.
Mr. Stevens said General Fund reductions also represented the transfer of funding for the cost-of-living salary increase, from the base to a maintenance module, which was where the same increase was located in other budget accounts within The Executive Budget.
Mr. Stevens said the statewide cost allocation had been removed as an item funded from the General Fund. He said other small adjustments were made such as two insurance items, etc.
Mr. Marvel asked what the reserve balance would be. Mark Krmpotic, Program Analyst, Legislative Counsel Bureau, answered the reserve for the next biennium would be at a zero balance due to the use of the $12,000 to reduce the draw on the General Fund and also the elimination of the federal balances in the reserve.
ASSEMBLYMAN DINI MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYMAN MARVEL SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES, NEVADA TAHOE REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY BUDGET PAGE CNR-167
Mr. Stevens said the only adjustment recommended for Budget Account 101-4166 was the removal of approximately $1,000 in the first year of the biennium and $2,800 in the second year of the biennium for costs associated with maintenance of a Web page. The Budget Division had indicated that these amounts were recommended in error, and the recommendation was to remove those items.
ASSEMBLYMAN DINI MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYMAN PARKS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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ELECTED OFFICIALS, ETHICS COMMISSION BUDGET PAGE ELECTED-18
Mr. Stevens explained Budget Account 101-1343 had no modifications and was recommended to close as the Governor recommended.
ASSEMBLYMAN MARVEL MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN CHOWNING SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
********
Mr. Stevens commented that S. B. 501, which would repeal the current sunset provision, related to appointment of commission counsel by the Commission on Ethics, had to pass or the commission counsel position would expire on June 30, 2001. The closing recommendation on Budget Account 101-1343 assumed that S. B. 501 would be passed by the 2001 Legislature.
CULTURAL AFFAIRS, NEVADA HISTORIC SOCIETY BUDGET PAGE
CULTURAL 17
Mr. Stevens said Budget Account 101-2870 was recommended to close with the Governor's recommendations.
Mrs. Chowning said the museum closed for remodeling in 1998 and did not reopen until April of 1999, and she asked where the museum was located. Mr. Stevens said the facility was located in Reno.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN CHOWNING MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR.
ASSEMBLYMAN DINI SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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CULTURAL AFFAIRS, COMSTOCK HISTORIC DISTRICT BUDGET PAGE CULTURAL 33
Mr. Stevens said the LCB staff recommended no adjustments for Budget Account 101-5030 and it was recommended that the budget be closed as recommended by the Governor.
ASSEMBLYMAN DINI MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN CEGAVSKE SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
********
Mr. Dini commented that there was a bill in the Senate to revise the Comstock Historic District. He did not feel it would have much bearing on the budget, but he thought it should be mentioned.
CULTURAL AFFAIRS, NEVADA STATE LIBRARY BUDGET PAGE CULTURAL-40
Mr. Stevens said the Governor's recommendation on Budget Account 101-2891 did not recommend an inflationary increase for the purchase of books or publications. Mr. Stevens said the Nevada Supreme Court Library had included the inflationary item, and that was one item he wanted the committee to be aware of.
Mr. Dini said he felt the inflation increase should be added to the budget. Chairman Arberry said the committee would not close this budget until the adjustment was made.
CULTURAL AFFAIRS, ARCHIVES AND RECORDS BUDGET PAGE CULTURAL-46
Mr. Stevens explained that Budget Account 101-1052 had no changes, but he knew committee members had some question to the staffing levels in the account.
Mrs. Chowning asked to hold this budget for further discussion. Chairman Arberry agreed.
CULTURAL AFFAIRS, MICROGRAPHICS BUDGET PAGE CULTURAL-49
Mr. Stevens said the only change for Budget Account 101-1055 related to the training of 12 employees. The Executive Budget requested an allocation of $100 per year, per employee, for the Department of Museums, Library, and Arts. By using this account, which was non-General Fund, it would reduce the General Fund support by $1,200 for the 12 employees.
ASSEMBLYMAN MARVEL MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYMAN PARKS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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CULTURAL AFFAIRS, NEVADA STATE LIBRARY-LITERACY BUDGET PAGE CULTURAL-54
Mr. Stevens said the adjustment to Budget Account 101-2893 reflected the receipt and expenditure of federal funds transferred from the Department of Education for teacher training and was $64.
ASSEMBLYMAN DINI MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN CEGAVSKE SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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CULTURAL AFFAIRS, NEVADA STATE LIBRARY- CLAN BUDGET PAGE CULTURAL-58
Mr. Stevens said the LCB staff recommendation was to close Budget Account 101-2895 as recommended by the Governor.
ASSEMBLYMAN DINI MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN TIFFANY SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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ADMINISTRATION, MERIT AWARD BOARD BUDGET PAGE ADMIN-14
Mr. Stevens said the recommendation was to close Budget Account 101-1345 as recommended by the Governor.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN CEGAVSKE MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR.
ASSEMBLYMAN PERKINS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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ADMINISTRATION, INDIGENT SUPPLEMENTAL ACCOUNT BUDGET PAGE ADMIN-23
Mr. Stevens said Budget Account 101-3244 revenue recommendations had been changed to the assessed evaluations recommended in The Executive Budget, in the amount of $5.2 million. He said this amount might change because of additional information that would be received in regard to assessed evaluations by the Department of Taxation. He said if the account was closed, the LCB staff asked for authority to modify the amounts, based on the assessed evaluation numbers, that would ultimately be approved by the distributing school account.
ASSEMBLYMAN MARVEL MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF WITH AUTHORITY FOR STAFF.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN DE BRAGA SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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ADMINISTRATION, INDIGENT ACCIDENT ACCOUNT BUDGET PAGE ADMIN-25
Mr. Stevens explained Budget Account 101-3245 was to provide reimbursement to hospitals who provided care of indigent persons who were injured in motor vehicle accidents in Nevada. He said there would also be possible changes to the budget due to revised assessed evaluation numbers on this account and staff would request the authority to adjust the revenue amounts to the assessed valuation assumptions that would be made in the distributing school account.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN CHOWNING MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF WITH AUTHORITY FOR STAFF.
ASSEMBLYMAN MARVEL SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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ADMINISTRATION, DEFERRED COMPENSATION COMMITTEE BUDGET PAGE ADMIN-27
Mr. Stevens said the LCB staff had no recommendations for change to Budget Account 101-1017.
ASSEMBLYMAN HETTRICK MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR.
ASSEMBLYMAN BEERS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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PERSONNEL, STATE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION BUDGET PAGE-PERSNI-8
Mr. Stevens said the LCB staff recommended that Budget Account 101-1339 be closed as recommended by the Governor. He said the rate in this account had changed dramatically in the last couple of years, and the LCB staff did want to review the rates a little later in the session and then come back and make a recommendation on the rate to the committee. He said in FY2002 approximately $380,000 more was being generated than was projected to be needed in this account. Mr. Stevens said he did not think that would affect this account, but might impact all the other accounts. He said whether the rate was changed or not would not impact the amount of money that would ultimately go into this account.
ASSEMBLYMAN HETTRICK MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR, WITH FLEXIBILITY FOR STAFF.
ASSEMBLYMAN MARVEL SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
BUDGET CLOSED.
(Mr. Goldwater was not present for the vote.)
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Being no further business, Chairman Arberry adjourned the hearing at 8:42 a.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Kathryn Fosnaugh
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Assemblyman Morse Arberry Jr., Chairman
DATE: