MINUTES OF THE

SENATE Committee on Judiciary

 

Seventy-First Session

March 19, 2001

 

 

The Senate Committee on Judiciarywas called to order by Chairman Mark A. James, at 9:39 a.m., on Monday, March 19, 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

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Bradley A. Wilkinson, Committee Counsel

Allison Combs, Committee Policy Analyst

Barbara Moss, Committee Secretary

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

Daniel C. Musgrove, Lobbyist, Intergovernmental Relations, City of Las Vegas

Alfredo Alonso, Lobbyist, Nevada Resort Association

 

Senator James opened the hearing with a request for a motion to introduce Bill Draft Request (BDR) 3-36, commonly known as a “sunshine and litigation” bill.

 

BILL DRAFT REQUEST 3-36:  Enacts provisions governing confidentiality of certain information.  (Later introduced as Senate Bill 411.)

 

SENATOR MCGINNESS MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 3-36.

 

SENATOR CARE SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

THE MOTION CARRIED.  (SENATOR PORTER, SENATOR TITUS, AND SENATOR WASHINGTON WERE ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)

 

*****

 

Senator James requested a motion to introduce Bill Draft Request 14‑798.

 

BILL DRAFT REQUEST 14-798:  Revises various provisions pertaining to certain offenders.  (Later introduced as Senate Bill 412.)

 

SENATOR MCGINNESS MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 14-798.

 

SENATOR CARE SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

THE MOTION CARRIED.  (SENATOR TITUS AND SENATOR WASHINGTON WERE ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)

 

*****

 

Senator James opened the hearing on Assembly Joint Resolution (A.J.R.) 2.

 

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION 2:  Urges Congress to refrain from enacting measure to repeal ability of Nevada to license and regulate sports wagering in its current form and to enact National Collegiate and Amateur Athletic Protection Act of 2001. (BDR R-983)

 

Daniel C. Musgrove, Lobbyist, Intergovernmental Relations, City of Las Vegas, read a letter from Oscar B. Goodman, Mayor of Las Vegas, to the legislators, dated March 19, 2001 (Exhibit C), requesting passage of A.J.R. 2.

 

Alfredo Alonso, Lobbyist, Nevada Resort Association, indicated that many of the questions addressed during the joint hearing had been answered.  He said the passed amendment included federal legislation which had been recently introduced by his delegation.  Mr. Alonso pointed out the real problem was illegal gambling.  He said his delegation would be working in Washington, D.C., and would appreciate any support from the Nevada State Legislature. 

 

Senator James requested the status of the National Collegiate and Amateur Athletic Protection Act (NCAAPA) debate in Congress. 

 

Mr. Alonso explained that, at the present time, both House of Representative and United States Senate bills have been introduced and are rapidly gaining sponsors.  He said there were ten sponsors, which was significant compared to the last time, and he was confident more would be obtained.  It was Mr. Alonso’s understanding that the “betting-on-college-sports-ban” bills would be introduced shortly.  He indicated the timing reflected “March Madness.”

 

Senator James clarified that the ten sponsors were for the Nevada delegation’s bills.  Mr. Alonso said that was correct, and added both bills were the United States Senate and House of Representative versions of the same legislation. 

 

Asked the number of individuals against the ban, Mr. Alonso answered efforts were more toward education at the present time.  He pointed out that many Nevada Resort Association members traveled to Washington, D.C., to educate congressional members who did not understand the illegal portion of sports betting, as opposed to Nevada’s legal and regulated system. 

 

Senator Porter asked whether or not there had been any comments, correspondence, or reactions in regard to the NCAAPA hearing.  Mr. Alonso said general discussion reflected the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA’s) position against all betting, highlighted during “March Madness,” which opposed betting of all kinds.  He indicated he had heard no criticism in regard to the hearing. 

 

Further, Senator Porter indicated he would like to see a comparison of sports book gaming between 2000 and 2001 to date.  Mr. Alonso said he would contact the proper sources and obtain the numbers.  Asked when the finals would be played, Mr. Alonso stated it was his belief that the actual championships would be played April 2, 2001.  Questioned whether there would be a crescendo of betting when moving into the final four games, Mr. Alonso pointed out that nearing “Sweet 16” tended to create excitement leading to the “Final Four” games. 

 

Senator James requested a motion to do pass A.J.R. 2.

 

SENATOR PORTER MOVED TO DO PASS A.J.R. 2.

 

SENATOR WASHINGTON SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

THE MOTION CARRIED.  (SENATOR TITUS WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)

 

*****

 

There being no further business to come before the committee, Senator James adjourned the hearing at 9:50 a.m.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

Barbara Moss,

Committee Secretary

 

 

APPROVED BY:

 

 

 

                       

Senator Mark A. James, Chairman

 

 

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