Assembly Bill No. 203–Assemblymen Perkins, Collins, Horne, Anderson, Parks, Andonov, Arberry, Atkinson, Beers, Brown, Buckley, Carpenter, Chowning, Claborn, Conklin, Geddes, Gibbons, Giunchigliani, Goicoechea, Goldwater, Grady, Griffin, Hettrick, Leslie, Mabey, Manendo, Marvel, McCleary, Mortenson, Oceguera, Pierce, Sherer, Weber and Williams

 

CHAPTER..........

 

AN ACT relating to higher education; creating the Committee to Evaluate Higher Education Programs; providing for its organization, powers and duties; making an appropriation; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

    Section 1. 1.  The Committee to Evaluate Higher Education

Programs, consisting of 12 voting members and 4 nonvoting

members, is hereby created.

    2.  The following persons shall serve as voting members of the

Committee:

    (a) Three members of the Senate, appointed by the Majority

Leader of the Senate;

    (b) Three members of the Assembly, appointed by the Speaker

of the Assembly;

    (c) Three members of the Board of Regents, appointed by

the Chairman of that Board; and

    (d) Three members appointed by the Governor.

    3.  The Governor shall appoint the following persons to serve as

the nonvoting members of the Committee:

    (a) One person who is employed in the Budget Division of the

Department of Administration;

    (b) Two persons who are employed by the University and

Community College System of Nevada; and

    (c) One student who is currently enrolled in an institution within

the University and Community College System of Nevada.

    4.  The Chairman of the Legislative Commission shall

designate one of the members as Chairman of the Committee.

    5.  The Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau shall

provide the necessary professional staff and a secretary for the

Committee.

    6.  For each day or portion of a day during which they attend a

meeting of the Committee or are otherwise engaged in the business

of the Committee:

    (a) The voting members of the Committee who are Legislators

are entitled to receive the compensation provided for a majority of

the members of the Legislature during the first 60 days of the

preceding regular session plus the per diem allowance provided for

state officers and employees generally and the travel expenses

provided pursuant to NRS 218.2207.

    (b) The voting members of the Committee who are members of

the Board of Regents are entitled to receive travel expenses and a

per diem allowance at the rates established in NRS 396.070.

    (c) The voting members of the Committee appointed by the

Governor are entitled to receive the per diem allowance and travel

expenses provided for state officers and employees generally.

    Sec. 2.  The Committee shall:

    1.  Examine and evaluate the need in this state for existing and

potential higher education programs to ensure economic progress

and development within the State of Nevada and to ensure that the

educational needs of its residents are being met;

    2.  Identify areas of high priority where needs are not currently

being met, including, without limitation, the areas of educational

programs for students who desire to become nurses or teachers;

    3.  Determine whether it is feasible to reallocate existing

resources within institutions to meet the critical needs of the State of

Nevada that are not currently being met;

    4.  Determine whether appropriations from the State of Nevada

and student fee revenues are being efficiently distributed internally

at each campus of the University and Community College System of

Nevada; and

    5.  Recommend to the Board of Regents and the Legislature

such action as may be needed for the efficient and effective

operation of higher education in Nevada if the State is to progress

economically and socially.

    Sec. 3.  The Committee may hold public hearings at such times

and places as it deems necessary to afford the general public and

representatives of governmental agencies and of organizations

interested in higher education an opportunity to present relevant

information and recommendations.

    Sec. 4.  The Committee may employ such educational and

financial consultants as it deems necessary for this study.

    Sec. 5.  The Committee may accept and use all gifts and grants

which it receives to further its work.

    Sec. 6.  1.  There is hereby appropriated from the State

General Fund to the Legislative Commission the sum of $250,000

for the purpose of conducting an evaluation of higher education

programs as provided in this act.

    2.  Any remaining balance of the appropriation made

by subsection 1 must not be committed for expenditure after

December 31, 2004, and reverts to the State General Fund as soon

as all payments of money committed have been made.

    Sec. 7.  The Committee shall submit to the Board of Regents,

Legislative Committee on Education and Legislative Commission a

report of its findings and any recommendations for legislation

before the commencement of the 73rd Session of the Legislature.

    Sec. 8.  This act becomes effective on July 1, 2003, and expires

by limitation on February 1, 2005.

 

²⁰~~~~~⁰³