MINUTES OF THE

SENATE Committee on Natural Resources

 

Seventy-First Session

May 2, 2001

 

 

The Senate Committee on Natural Resourceswas called to order by Chairman Dean A. Rhoads, at 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, May 2, 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 Raymond C. Shaffer

Senator Bob Coffin

Senator Maggie Carlton

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

 

Senator Mark A. James (Excused)

 

GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:

 

Assemblyman Tom Collins, Clark County Assembly District No. 1

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Fred W. Welden, Committee Policy Analyst

Heather Miller, Committee Secretary

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

Stephanie Licht, Lobbyist, Nevada Woolgrowers’ Association

Pete Bachstadt, Lobbyist, Carson/Eagle Valley Humane Society

Robert Barengo, Lobbyist, Nevada Humane Society

Jason Geddes, Ph.D., Senior Petroleum Chemist, Bureau of Petroleum Technology, Division of Measurement Standards, State Department of Agriculture

Peter D. Krueger, Lobbyist, Nevada Petroleum Marketers Association

 

Chairman Rhoads opened the hearing on Assembly Bill (A.B.) 208. 

 

ASSEMBLY BILL 208:  Revises provisions governing regulation of certain events in which animals are used. (BDR 50-206)

 

Assemblyman Tom Collins, Clark County District No. 1, testified in support of A.B. 208, stating the bill prohibits a local government or agency from prohibiting events like rodeos and livestock shows, so long as the events promote the proper care, husbandry, or performance of an animal, including circuses or exhibitions that comply with the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations.  He referred to a prepared document distributed to the committee for its consideration (Exhibit C.  The original is on file in the Research Library.). 

 

Chairman Rhoads asked Assemblyman Collins why Nevada county commissioners would ever possibly make a move against rodeo activities.  Chairman Rhoads said he did not think local and county control of animal treatment should be relegated to state jurisdiction.  Assemblyman Collins replied he believed there were people in some of the county governments who would move to abolish the rodeo.  Chairman Rhoads reiterated the jurisdiction should remain at the local levels. 

 

Senator McGinness agreed the jurisdiction should reside with the counties, but agreed with Assemblyman Collins on the rest of the bill. 

 

Stephanie Licht, Lobbyist, Nevada Woolgrowers’ Association, testified in favor of A.B. 208, stating the intent will help aid those who participate in livestock events. 

 

Senator McGinness asked Ms. Licht if she was representing the Elko County Board of Commissioners as well.  Ms. Licht answered she was not. 

 

Assemblyman Collins informed the committee Carson City, and the counties of Douglas, and Lyon have signed a letter of endorsement for A.B. 208. 

 

Pete Bachstadt, Lobbyist, Carson/Eagle Valley Humane Society, testified in opposition to A.B. 208, as currently written.  He read from a prepared statement distributed to the committee (Exhibit D).  He said the Nevada Constitution makes provision for various categories of law, while the U.S. Constitution does not.  He voiced his support for local control on animal treatment as well. 

 

Robert Barengo, Lobbyist, Nevada Humane Society, testified on some objections the Nevada Humane Society had on the concept of A.B. 208, namely the removal of local control of animal treatment jurisdiction. 

 

Assemblyman Collins said Nevada had preemption laws for a reason.  He said having uniform laws throughout the state regarding animal treatment and care would be the most beneficial action for all involved, citing guns and tobacco as examples of state-mandated jurisdiction. 

 

Senator Shaffer asked Assemblyman Collins if there had been a case of a county acting against a rodeo.  Assemblyman Collins affirmed there had been.  He described an instance where a lawsuit against the Professional Rodeo Cowboys’ Association had been filed by a nonprofit organization from Utah. 

 

Senator Jacobsen asked Assemblyman Collins what promoted him to sponsor this legislation.  Assemblyman Collins answered his intention was to let Nevada continue with its Western heritage of rodeos and livestock events unimpeded. 

 

Chairman Rhoads closed the hearing on A.B. 208 and opened on A.B. 629. 

 

ASSEMBLY BILL 629:  Clarifies standards for regulating petroleum products used in internal combustion engines. (BDR 51-543)

 

Jason Geddes, Ph.D., Senior Petroleum Chemist, Bureau of Petroleum Technology, Division of Measurement Standards, State Department of Agriculture, testified in support of A.B. 629, stating the State Department of Agriculture is charged with setting fuel standards for routine and alternative fuels.  He said A.B. 629 would help clear up conflicts through a few definition changes.  He asked that the bill be passed as amended. 

 

Senator Jacobsen asked Dr. Geddes what prompted this bill.  Dr. Geddes answered the bill had been created to address conflicting jurisdiction between the Board for the Regulation of Liquified Petroleum Gas (BRLPG) and the State Department of Agriculture regarding setting standards.  Senator Jacobsen asked Dr. Geddes what kind of federal standards are currently in effect.  Dr. Geddes answered there are standards for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as it is used as a heating source, and the BRLPG has jurisdiction over that fuel.  He said there are not federal standards for LPG or natural gas when they are used as a motor fuel.  Senator Jacobsen asked Dr. Geddes if the military and its fuel practices were impacted by this legislation.  Mr. Geddes answered the military is exempt from state jurisdiction. 

 

Peter D. Krueger, Lobbyist, Nevada Petroleum Marketers Association, testified in support of A.B. 629, informing the committee he had worked with Dr. Geddes on the language of the amendments. 

 

The testimony of Heidi Herriott, Circus Unit Manager, Outdoor Amusement Business Association, was faxed to Chairman Rhoads supporting A.B. 208 (Exhibit E).

 

Chairman Rhoads adjourned the meeting at 4:15 p.m.

 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

Heather Miller,

Committee Secretary

 

 

APPROVED BY:

 

 

 

                       

Senator Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman

 

 

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