MINUTES OF THE meeting
of the
ASSEMBLY Committee on Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Mining
Subcommittee
Seventy-Second Session
March 28, 2003
The Committee on Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Mining Subcommittee was called to order at 12:31 p.m., on Friday, March 28, 2003. Chairman Harry Mortenson presided in Room 3161 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.
Note: These minutes are compiled in the modified verbatim style. Bracketed material indicates language used to clarify and further describe testimony. Actions of the Committee are presented in the traditional legislative style.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mr. Harry Mortenson, Chairman
Mr. Kelvin Atkinson
Mr. Bob McCleary
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:
None
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Linda Eissmann, Committee Policy Analyst
Erin Channell, Committee Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
Barry Duncan, Government Relations Specialist, Southern Nevada Home Builders Association
Alexis Miller, Manager, Government Affairs and Community Relations, Nevada Mining Association
This Subcommittee will come together for Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Mining. [Exhibit C was provided to the Subcommittee by Chairman Mortenson but not discussed.]
Assembly Bill 131: Makes various changes relating to protection of cultural resources. (BDR 33-92)
Chairman Mortenson:
This is the A.B. 131 Subcommittee. We have a problem with this bill. Come up to the table if you wish to speak. I would love to ask you if there’s anything we can do to solve our impasse.
Barry Duncan, Government Relations Specialist, Southern Nevada Home Builders Association:
[Introduced himself] I’ll let Ms. Miller start off on that point and I’ll follow up after her.
Alexis Miller, Manager, Government Affairs and Community Relations, Nevada Mining Association:
[Introduced herself] Our members have grave concerns about this bill, and given the time constraints, we have not been able to reach a compromise with our membership. Therefore we have had to withdraw our support for the bill, even with our amendments, and come out in opposition to the bill. Because of the threat that this could pose to the mining industry, we are unable to support it.
Chairman Mortenson:
It is my understanding that this is principally Newmont, that Barrick has backed off and is not in opposition to this bill. Is that true?
Alexis Miller:
No, that’s not. Each of our companies have their own concerns, but no, Barrick is as equally concerned as any of the other companies.
Chairman Mortenson:
I was just told by a Barrick lobbyist that they had no concern, that they had backed off. That’s neither here nor there at this point. Are there any questions for Ms. Miller from the Committee members?
Barry Duncan:
We along with our colleagues and friends in the mining industry were originally attempting to reach a consensus legislation. Unfortunately, now, our membership is extremely concerned about the bill and cannot support it at this time.
Chairman Mortenson:
Mr. Duncan, can you expound on what particular aspect of the bill bothers them?
Barry Duncan:
It would be many things. I just had very preliminary conversations with our members. We heard that there was a notion floating around that this would apply only to counties over 400,000. Our membership would have grave concerns with that. The other issues that we couldn’t get around were some of the “traditional” language that was in there, and so forth. Again, we felt that we had some ability and desire to support the bill both with your friendly amendments as well as the mining industry’s, and now just our Association [Southern Nevada Home Builders Association] has decided that, given the change in events, that they can no longer support the bill.
Chairman Mortenson:
I appreciate your testimony. I have been in some negotiations with some people regarding this situation. I honestly think that we’re going to come out with a win-win situation. We will not be doing any announcements probably until Monday or later. I really do appreciate your time and your testimony. Are there any questions for Mr. Duncan?
Barry Duncan:
We appreciate the Subcommittee taking the time on Friday. We know that at least one of you has to catch a plane home. So we appreciate your time and consideration. Thank you very much.
Chairman Mortenson:
As a consequence of what I just said, I really am not going to ask the Subcommittee for a motion at this time. If there’s no further business with the Subcommittee, then we’re adjourned. [Adjourned at 12:37 p.m.]
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Erin Channell
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Assemblyman Harry Mortenson, Chairman
DATE: