MINUTES OF THE
SENATE Committee on Natural Resources
Seventy-second Session
March 12, 2003
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources was called to order by Chairman Dean A. Rhoads, at 1:30 p.m., on Wednesday, March 12, 2003, 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 Mike McGinness, Vice Chairman
Senator Raymond C. Shaffer
Senator Mark Amodei
Senator Bob Coffin
Senator Michael Schneider
Senator Maggie Carlton
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Fred Welden, Committee Policy Analyst
Gina Rasner, Committee Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
Deloyd Satterthwaite, Chairman, Rangeland Resources Commission
Joseph Guild, Lobbyist, President, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association
Bennie Romero, Vice Chairman, Rangeland Resources Commission
Chairman Rhoads opened the meeting with a review of the Rangeland Resources Commission created in 1999.
Deloyd Satterthwaite, Chairman, Rangeland Resources Commission, gave a brief presentation. Mr. Satterthwaite said S.B. 310 of the 70th Session created the commission. The board members vary from the Bureau of Land Management Advisory Boards, Nevada Cattleman’s Association, Nevada Farm Bureau, and Nevada Woolgrowers Association. The Governor appointed the selected members. The purpose of the Rangeland Resources Commission is to access each animal unit per month fee (AUM) valued at 10 cents per animal to each permit holder. The intent of S.B. 310 of the 70th Session is to gather funds from the permit holder which will be used for research and education. Research helps to resolve public issues regarding Nevada rangelands. The Rangeland Resources Commission is involved with television and radio advertisements, inserts in the range magazine, and has developed a Website. These activities allow the ranchers paying the AUM assessment fee to see revenue working for them by developing these programs and capabilities of research. This allows the ranchers to tell their story.
Bennie Romero, Vice Chairman, Rangeland Resources Commission, said the programs developed have the capabilities of educating the public on ranching benefits of grazing on public lands which is vital to the ranchers. Nevada and Idaho are the only states that currently have this type of commission. Mr. Romero said the commission is vital to ranching.
Joseph Guild, Lobbyist, President, Nevada Cattleman’s Association, said the efforts of the Rangeland Resources Commission have allowed the ranchers to gather information in order to defend issues regarding public grazing or ranching. Mr. Guild said the funds raised by the AUM allowed the Rangeland Resources Commission to give creditable information to the media services, which in the past has told the ranchers’ stories. Mr. Guild said by passing S.B. 310 of the 70th Session the commission fulfills the obligation of more public involvement and private industry of efforts to tell the ranchers’ story.
Chairman Rhoads asked for statistics on the Rangeland Resources Commission. Mr. Satterthwaite said the first billing that went out in 2000 stipulates livestock holders must pay AUM fees. If an individual has suffered loss of livestock due to drought, fire, diseases, loss of hay crop, and economical issues, that individual may file for a refund. Mr. Satterthwaite said for an average over the last 3 years, the commission has generated $400,000 to $500,000.
There being no further business, Chairman Rhoads adjourned the meeting at 2:00 p.m.
Gina Rasner,
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Senator Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman
DATE: