MINUTES OF THE

SENATE Committee on Natural Resources

 

Seventy-First Session

April 18, 2001

 

 

The Senate Committee on Natural Resourceswas called to order by Chairman Dean A. Rhoads, at 2:25 p.m., on Wednesday, April 18, 2001, 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 Bob Coffin

Senator Maggie Carlton

 

GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:

 

Assemblyman John J. Lee, Clark County Assembly District No. 3

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Fred W. Welden, Committee Policy Analyst

Heather Miller, Committee Secretary

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

Glenn Trowbridge, Director, Administration, Parks and Recreation, Clark County

Charles Musser, Concerned Citizen

Norm Lindley, Representative, National Bench Rest Shooters Association

Paul A. Grace, Lobbyist, Executive Director, Nevada State Rifle and Pistol Association

Robert E. Erickson, Research Director, Research Division, Legislative Counsel Bureau

Stephanie Licht, Lobbyist, Nevada Woolgrower’s Association

 

Chairman Rhoads opened the hearing on Assembly Joint Resolution (A.J.R.) 6. 

 

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION 6:  Urges Nevada Congressional Delegation to support release of certain property in Clark County controlled by Bureau of Land Management for development of regional shooting sports park. (BDR R-329)

 

Assemblyman John J. Lee, Clark County Assembly District No. 3, testified in support of A.J.R. 6, and stated the resolution articulated the need for a public shooting range in the Las Vegas area.  Assemblyman Lee explained a contained shooting range was necessary for the safety of the shooters and for people residing in the surrounding area.  He gave several examples of injuries sustained from stray bullets in areas not recognized as shooting ranges.  He said A.J.R. 6 would provide a healthy alternative for all concerned. 

 

Glen E. Trowbridge, Director, Administration, Parks and Recreation, Clark County, testified in support of A.J.R. 6, and stated the resolution asks the Nevada Congressional Delegation to support the release of certain property located in Clark County for the development of a sports park.  He said an executive board would be designated by the board of county commissioners to maintain the new park.  He explained encroaching housing developments have forced shooting ranges to move so as not to endanger the local population.  Mr. Trowbridge referred to an overview of the project distributed to the committee (Exhibit C.  The original is on file in the Research Library.).  He explained an area of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land was being considered. 

 

Chairman Rhoads and Mr. Trowbridge discussed the perimeter of the proposed range. 

 

Senator Coffin asked if acoustic testing has been done in the proposed area.  Mr. Trowbridge replied acoustic testing had not been performed yet, but it is expected to be part of the public input process.  Mr. Trowbridge explained the range would be buffered by one mile on the east, west, and south sides.  Senator Coffin replied a mile is not very far, depending on the ammunition and the terrain.  Senator Coffin and Mr. Trowbridge discussed sound travel and how far away it could be detected. 

 

Charles Musser, Concerned Citizen, testified in favor of A.J.R. 6, and then read from a prepared statement distributed to the committee (Exhibit D).  He mentioned that currently the area used as a shooting range in Clark County is an illegal spot, but it is still sought out by shooters. 

 

Norm Lindley, Representative, National Bench Rest Shooters Association, testified in support of A.J.R. 6.  Mr. Lindley echoed the concern for public safety.  He also mentioned a sporting range would attract competitive events and tourist revenue. 

 

Chairman Rhoads asked if the park would be operated by Clark County.  Mr. Lindley affirmed it would be a county park.  Chairman Rhoads requested the purpose of the million-dollar request.  Mr. Lindley responded the money requested would get the park under way. 

 

Senator Jacobsen asked if there are any rifle or pistol clubs presently active in the area.  Mr. Lindley responded there are.  He explained these groups use a private shooting range. 

 

Mr. Trowbridge added there are over 400,000 registered handguns, 13,000 concealed weapon permits, and 3000 police officers who need to qualify on a regular basis in Clark County.  He said there is quite a demand for this facility from a training standpoint. 

 

Paul A. Grace, Lobbyist, Executive Director, Nevada State Rifle and Pistol Association (NSRPA), testified in support of A.J.R. 6, stating many members of the NSRPA live in southern Nevada and have no public range on which to practice. 

 

Chairman Rhoads closed the hearing on A.J.R. 6 and opened the hearing on Assembly Bill (A.B.) 301. 

 

ASSEMBLY BILL 301:  Repeals provisions relating to woolen products.  (BDR 51-1144)

 

Assemblyman Lee testified in support of A.B. 301, stating he introduced this bill to try and repeal an antique law regarding the labeling of virgin wool. 

 

Robert E. Erickson, Research Director, Research Division, Legislative Counsel Bureau, testified on the background of A.B. 301 at the request of Assemblyman Lee.  He explained A.B. 301 would repeal the provisions that require a manufacturer or seller of products containing or purporting to contain wool to label those products.  Mr. Erickson said the label requirement has not been enforced since its conception anyway, as far as he knew. 

 

Stephanie Licht, Lobbyist, Nevada Woolgrower’s Association, testified in support of A.B. 301, and referred to a handout on woolen product statutes distributed to the committee (Exhibit E.  The original is on file in the Research Library.). 

 

Senator Coffin commented there might be reasons why the older statute that labeled wool content was passed for a purpose, like for people with allergies to wool.  Ms. Licht replied she could not address the medical aspect of his question.  She mentioned most articles of clothing do have wool content labels in them to warn people with allergies, but most do not contain any information on the virgin wool content.  Senator Coffin and Ms. Licht discussed wool horse blankets.  Ms. Licht reminded the committee the old statute was not enforced, so no change was really taking place with its repeal. 

 

Chairman Rhoads adjourned the meeting at 3:08 p.m.

 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

Heather Miller,

Committee Secretary

 

 

APPROVED BY:

 

 

 

                       

Senator Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman

 

 

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