MINUTES OF THE
SENATE Committee on Judiciary
Seventy-First Session
March 6, 2001
The Senate Committee on Judiciarywas called to order by Chairman Mark A. James, at 8:30 a.m., on Tuesday, March 6, 2001, in Room 2149 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 Mark A. James, Chairman
Senator Jon C. Porter, Vice Chairman
Senator Mike McGinness
Senator Maurice Washington
Senator Valerie Wiener
Senator Terry Care
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Dina Titus (Excused)
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bradley A. Wilkinson, Committee Counsel
Allison Combs, Committee Policy Analyst
Carolyn Allfree, Committee Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
James F. Nadeau, Lobbyist, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office
Judy M. Jacoboni, Lobbyist, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Lyon County Chapter
Chairman James opened the hearing on Senate Bill (S.B.) 240, which was requested by the Nevada Association of Counties (NACO) on behalf of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
SENATE BILL 240: Authorizes county or city to seek reimbursement from nonindigent prisoner for cost of booking and releasing prisoner. (BDR 16‑416)
James F. Nadeau, Lobbyist, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, said there were some difficulties with the language in S.B. 240, and his agreement with NACO was to not go forward with the bill unless a consensus was reached on the language; therefore, Mr. Nadeau requested that S.B. 240 be indefinitely postponed.
SENATOR CARE MOVED TO INDEFINITELY POSTPONE S.B. 240.
SENATOR WIENER SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR TITUS WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
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Chairman James closed the hearing on S.B. 240 and opened the hearing on Senate Bill 234.
SENATE BILL 234: Revises provisions governing statements of victims of crimes at sentencing hearings. (BDR 14-1079)
Chairman James said he and Senator Porter had requested S.B. 234, and he asked Senator Porter to describe the bill.
Senator Porter said the bill was proposed by Families of Murder Victims and, after some discussion, they realized many of their concerns were addressed in the laws passed in recent sessions. However, some particular circumstances were not covered, and this bill was proposed to address those concerns. He asked for postponement of the hearing on S.B. 234, since interested parties who want to testify were not present.
Chairman James said Judy Jacoboni was present to speak on the bill.
Judy M. Jacoboni, Lobbyist, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Lyon County Chapter, spoke in favor of S.B. 234 and said MADD supports the bill as written. She explained that part of her job as victim advocate is to guide victims through the criminal justice system and accompany them to court proceedings. She said it is already customary in several courts to follow the procedure outlined in the bill, but it is good to have the procedure spelled out. Victims are very comfortable speaking after the defendant and the defendant’s counsel have spoken, she said.
Chairman James closed the hearing on S.B. 234. He said the committee would hold another hearing on the bill if time was available during the 120-day session.
Chairman James called for bill draft requests. He described Bill Draft Request 14-774 and requested a motion for its introduction. He said the bill establishes a committee on criminal justice that consolidates existing criminal justice committees into one.
BILL DRAFT REQUEST 14-774: Revises provisions relating to certain committees that review issues pertaining to criminal justice. (Later introduced as Senate Bill 286.)
SENATOR CARE MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 14-774.
SENATOR WIENER SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR TITUS WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
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Chairman James described Bill Draft Request 16-539 and requested a motion for its introduction.
BILL DRAFT REQUEST 16-539: Removes certain limitations on amount of compensation that may be provided for loss of earnings and support and for funeral expenses of certain victims of crime. (Later introduced as Senate Bill 282.)
SENATOR PORTER MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 16-539.
SENATOR MCGINNESS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR TITUS WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
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Chairman James described Bill Draft Request 15-482 and requested a motion for its introduction.
BILL DRAFT REQUEST 15-482: Increases penalty for statutory sexual seduction of child who is under 14 years of age. (Later introduced as Senate Bill 284.)
SENATOR PORTER MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 15‑482.
SENATOR WIENER SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR TITUS WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
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Chairman James described Bill Draft Request 11‑1344 and requested a motion for its introduction.
BILL DRAFT REQUEST 11-1344: Requires district attorney to provide certain information regarding performance of his duties pertaining to child support. (Later introduced as Senate Bill 285.)
SENATOR PORTER MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 1-1344.
SENATOR WASHINGTON SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR TITUS WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
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Chairman James described Bill Draft Request 41-761 and requested a motion for its introduction.
BILL DRAFT REQUEST 41-761: Revises various provisions governing gaming. (Later introduced as Senate Bill 283.)
SENATOR PORTER MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 41‑761.
SENATOR MCGINNESS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR TITUS WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
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Senator Porter mentioned that it is currently illegal to fix a sporting event in Nevada, but it is apparently not illegal to place a bet on a fixed sporting event. He said, if that is correct, the loophole should be closed.
Chairman James agreed, and asked Bradley A. Wilkinson, Committee Counsel, and Allison Combs, Committee Policy Analyst, to locate and research the bill dealing with the subject matter in order for the committee to consider an amendment.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Carolyn Allfree,
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Senator Mark A. James, Chairman
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