MINUTES OF THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS Sixty-eighth Session June 28, 1995 The Committee on Ways and Means was called to order at 8:07 a.m., on Wednesday, June 28, 1995, Chairman Marvel presiding, in Room 352 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Morse Arberry, Jr., Chairman Mr. John W. Marvel, Chairman Mrs. Jan Evans, Vice Chairman Mr. Bob Price Ms. Sandra Tiffany, Vice Chairman Mr. Dennis L. Allard Mrs. Maureen E. Brower Mrs. Vonne Chowning Mr. Jack D. Close Mr. Joseph E. Dini, Jr. Mr. Thomas A. Fettic Ms. Chris Giunchigliani Mr. Lynn Hettrick Mr. Larry L. Spitler STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Mark Stevens, Fiscal Analyst Mr. Gary Ghiggeri, Deputy Fiscal Analyst SENATE BILL 243 - Revises provisions governing orders for payment of money belonging to school district. Mike Alastuey, Clark County School District, explained S.B. 243 was introduced soley for the purpose of cleaning up the statute and allowing school business to be done in an expeditious fashion. Currently a strict reading of the statute would provide for a listing of all bills payable to be approved by a regular meeting, every two weeks, of the school board before release of payment. This provides the board of trustees to approve all payments. Mr. Alastuey subsequently described the circumstances in which payments may be processed prior to ratification by the board. MS. GIUNCHIGLIANI MOVED DO PASS S.B. 243. MR. CLOSE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ASSEMBLYMEN ARBERRY, TIFFANY AND PRICE ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE. ********** SENATE BILL 392 - Makes various changes to provisions governing deductions from wages earned or money received by offenders, accounting of money of offenders and transportation of offenders to court. Senator Ernie Adler, Capital Senatorial District, explained there were a number of lawsuits involving inmate accounts. S.B. 392 prioritizes deductions and divides inmates into three groups: those making minimum wage and above who have a full set of deductions, those making below minimum wage, and those inmates making no money within the prison system but receive money from the outside. Chairman Marvel questioned whether this would affect the way deductions are made for the prison industry. Senator Adler said no, that prison industry is at the top of the list in terms of deductions right below victims of crime, so it is prioritized not to impact the budget. Anne Cathcart, Attorney General's Office, representing Department of Prisons, submitted and read her letter of June 27 (Exhibit C) stating the provisions of the bill. Mr. Hettrick questioned whether S.B. 392 would have any impact on A.B. 389. Ms. Cathcart referred the question to Al Peralta, Chief of Inmate Services, Department of Prisons. Mr. Peralta indicated there could be some impact; however, not all inmates would have all the deductions. He noted they were approving software to track where monies had gone. Mr. Spitler was curious as to the rationale relative to the ranking in Section 5. Senator Adler stated some were already statutorily required deductions. Mr. Hettrick stated he understood the statutory requirement but wondered if they were in a sequential order in terms of the way the money would be deducted. Senator Adler confirmed they were sequential; however, the director had the ability to make adjustments. Mr. Hettrick expressed concern that A.B. 389 be used "to the best of our ability to recoup some of that cost which is absolute taxpayer general fund money." Senator Adler said "the rationale for putting prison industries payments so high is that it generates new industries which generates more minimum wage jobs which supposedly gets more cash flow into this fund." Ms. Cathcart brought committee attention to a printout (Exhibit D) from the Department of Prisons indicating how much money was in a typical inmate's account at any one time. She mentioned to committee members that without priorities listed, inmates were inclined to sue and had a tendency to look for loopholes. Mr. Adler, in reviewing the sheet, said there were only 350 inmates out of the whole system who could make a meaningful contribution in terms of payment back to society; thus, more inmates in the minimum wage category were needed so more deductions could be made. MR. HETTRICK MOVED DO PASS S.B. 392. MR. FETTIC SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ASSEMBLYMEN PRICE, SPITLER AND CHOWNING ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE. ********** SENATE BILL 501 - Revises provisions governing cost allocations for state agencies. Chairman Marvel requested Ms. Giunchigliani to write out her amendment. It is submitted as (Exhibit E). MS. GIUNCHIGLIANI MOVED AMEND AND DO PASS S.B. 501. MR. CLOSE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ASSEMBLYMEN EVANS, PRICE, SPITLER AND CHOWNING ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE. ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 224 - Makes various changes to provisions governing local financial administration. Mark Stevens submitted suggested amendments to A.B. 224 (Exhibit F) and gave an explanation to committee members. Chairman Marvel noted the back-up sheet indicated the estimate of each school district's share of a one-shot appropriation. MR. FETTIC MOVED AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 224. MR. HETTRICK SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ASSEMBLYMEN PRICE AND SPITLER ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE. ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 734 - Makes appropriations for support of civil government of state. Mark Stevens explained the back language of the appropriations act was reviewed yesterday and offered to answer questions. Since there were none, Chairman Marvel entertained a motion. MR. DINI MOVED DO PASS ON A.B. 734. MR. HETTRICK SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ASSEMBLYMEN PRICE, SPITLER AND CHOWNING ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE. ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 326 - Makes appropriation for establishment and maintenance of branch office for department of motor vehicles and public safety in Laughlin. (Exhibit G) is a handout pertinent to Laughlin. MR. DINI MOVED AMEND AND DO PASS ON ITEM 2 ON ASSEMBLY BILL 326. MR. ARBERRY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ASSEMBLYMEN PRICE AND CHOWNING ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE. ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 662 - Makes appropriation necessary to effect salary increase for certain classes of state educational personnel. Ms. Giunchigliani questioned whether personnel of the prison systems could be placed into the school district rather than leaving them as prison teachers (rather those in the Youth Services Division) which would then give them not only faculty salary but insurance and retirement benefits. She indicated there would be no problem with licensing standards. Gary Ghiggeri assumed this would go through the DSA. Jean Botts, Program Analyst, Fiscal Analyst, explained she had talked with the Elko County School District. The Lincoln County School District did operate the school at Caliente and those were school district employees. The Elko County School Board had, in the past, refused to take over the operation of that school. Ms. Botts noted she asked Ms. Bandera if the Elko County School Board would consider taking over the operation of that school and the answer was no. However, if the school board were to take it over and operate it as a school district program, then those teachers would become school district employees and subject to the same requirements, benefits and rights of those school districts. Currently they were school employees. MR. ARBERRY MOVED TO INDEFINITELY POSTPONE A.B. 662. MS. TIFFANY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH CHAIRMAN MARVEL AND MRS. EVANS VOTING NO AND ASSEMBLYMEN FETTIC AND PRICE ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE. ********** Chairman Marvel asked for committee introduction of BDR 34-2165, the DSA bill. MR. DINI MOVED FOR INTRODUCTION OF BDR 34-2165, THE DSA BILL. MR. ARBERRY SECONDED THE MOTION. Jean Botts gave an explanation of BDR 34-2165 (Exhibit H). Referencing Page 4, Ms. Giunchigliani wondered if the August 1st date needed to be changed. Ms. Botts indicated they would still get their quarterly apportionment on August 1 but there would be an adjustment on August 25th. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ASSEMBLYMAN PRICE ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE. ********** Chairman Marvel asked for committee introduction of BDR S-2157, the unclassified pay bill (Exhibit I). MR. DINI MOVED FOR INTRODUCTION OF BDR S -2157, THE UNCLASSIFIED PAY BILL. MR. ARBERRY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ASSEMBLYMAN PRICE ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE. ********** Chairman Marvel stated they would stand in recess subject to the call of the chairs. The meeting reconvened at 6:05 p.m. The agenda is submitted as (Exhibit J). ASSEMBLY BILL 522 - Requires welfare division of department of human resources to establish programs to impose certain responsibilities for academic attendance and immunization of dependent children on certain recipients of aid to families with dependent children. Ms. Monaghan explained A.B. 522 required the Welfare Division to set up a program for every recipient of AFDC that provided continued enrollment and attendance in school. If the recipient failed to maintain enrollment the division shall provide written notice of failure to comply and thereafter the recipient must send in a signed statement each month on a form approved by the division attesting to compliance. At the next scheduled review the recipient would be given a cash award of $1 for each correctly and executed form received in a timely manner. If not in compliance, benefits could be suspended. A handout regarding the informal update of fiscal note for A.B. 522 is submitted as (Exhibit K). Chairman Marvel inquired about vaccinations. Ms. Monaghan said they found parents waited until children entered kindergarten or first grade for vaccinations, so it had been decided to gear it toward that age ; the health department now has it down by regulation. Mike Willden, Deputy Administrator, Welfare Division, reviewed the fiscal note for A.B. 522. Responding to an inquiry from Chairman Marvel relative to the status of S.B. 428, Mr. Willden said there were similar provisions and contained an approximate $1.5 million fiscal note. His handout is submitted as (Exhibit L). Jan Gilbert, representing the League of Women Voters of Nevada, spoke in opposition to A.B. 522. Citing one of many reasons for their opposition she noted it was an insult to poor women to say they are not sending their children to school when it had not been proven. Also there has been no proof that welfare recipients' children are not immunized. A study of WIC children showed the immunization rate was 92 percent; the statewide average being close to 60 percent..."so those poor women have a higher percent of getting their children immunized than the average population." Alicia Smalley, National Association of Social Workers/School Board member in Douglas County, cautioned the committee "when children are singled out it can be bad news." She noted there were approximately 150 home schooled children in Douglas County at this time. If welfare recipients are having problems getting their children to school and settle for home schooling, this is not the intent of this bill. Bobbie Gang, representing the Nevada Women's Lobby, also in opposition to A.B. 522, described the bill as punitive and offering no support for welfare recipients. Regarding school attendance, her suggestion was to amend the bill to deal only with elementary school, and at the most, middle school children where parents have more control..."as high school age students are beyond the age of encouraging them if they have not developed good habits." Ms. Giunchigliani commented to her knowledge there were school attendance requirements in Nevada for high school students only..."so we could be trying to set up a standard where no standard exists." Sherry Loncar, Nevada PTA, stated the PTA had similar concerns with A.B. 522 to those already presented, the main point of concern not to single out welfare recipients to sanction the attendance or academic problems of their children. She submitted a testimony by Mary Peterson, Superintendent of Public Instruction (Exhibit M) outlining pertinent problems. Ronald Rentner, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Nevada, stated opposition to A.B. 522. He stated in his experience in ministry he found "kids relish the opportunity to make life miserable for parents at a certain time in life...and this gives them some ideal tools to do that." ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 702 - Provides for evaluation of desirability and feasibility of imposing state license fee on sexually oriented businesses. Jeannine Stroth, Assembly District 5, explained A.B. 702 as introduced would have imposed a percentage fee on the gross receipts of various sexually oriented businesses. The decision was to amend the bill and ask for a study which would direct the Department of Taxation to study and evaluate the desirability and feasibility of imposing a state license fee on sexually oriented businesses. The Department would report its findings to the Legislative Counsel Bureau by December 1, 1996. Its results would allow the 1997 Legislature to make informed decisions on the issue. A letter from Janice Wright, Deputy Executive Director of the Department of Taxament, submitted as Exhibit N indicating the Department would conduct the study without additional funding, followed by the testimony of Gina Crown who worked five years with the State Victims of Crime Program and who testified as to the effects of materials and devices sold in sexually oriented bookstores. Continuing, Ms. Stroth cited other businesses they were looking at were escort services, exotic dancing and topless bars. She indicated police agencies were interested in seeing some kind of state involvement so as to have greater powers to investigate owners of these places. Las Vegas Metro and the District Attorney's Office also were supportive of the study to see if greater regulation with state involvement could be a reality. George Flint, Nevada Brothel Association, explained N.R.S. 233 allowed counties under 400,000 population to establish their own laws in relationship to the legalization and control of brothels. One of the things certain counties did was look at the fiscal possibility of being able to have positive cash flow into the counties from that business. He indicated brothels were currently paying probably the highest business license fees of any sexually oriented business in the state and expressed great concern that a highly regulated, highly controlled organization should be faced with increased fees. His proposed amendment is submitted as (Exhibit 0). MS. GIUNCHIGLIANI MOVED AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 702. MR. ALLARD SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH MR. ARBERRY ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE. ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 443 - Establishes program to pay fees and other related costs for classes taken at University and Community College System of Nevada by dependent children of certain public employees killed in the line of duty. Mark Stevens reviewed sections of the bill that were in question. Committee discussion ensued. Ms. Tiffany expressed concern there was no kind of mechanism relative to fund raising on this account with the possibility it would languish without any attention or effort. Mr. Stevens responded if the account began to run low, the Board of Regents would bring it to the attention of the legislature. Mr. Dini interjected by noting with the establishment of the fund and allowing the Regents to take money, the fund would grow and scholarships could result from the interest. MR. HETTRICK MOVED AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 443 USING UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE ON THE FIRST PAGE AND VOLUNTEER MEMBER ON THE SECOND. MRS. CHOWNING SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 270 - Makes appropriation to department of transportation for co nst ruc tio n of hig hw ay bet we en Pat ric k int erc ha ng e of Int ers tat e Hig hw ay No . 80 an d St ore y Co unt y. Harvey Whittemore explained the proposed amendment was to reduce the requested appropriation from $2.540 million to $1.5 million. Confirmation was received that the Highway Department had committed $1 million to come up with the additional appropriation so the total amount would be derived. Thus the request would only be $1.5 million from the one-shot appropriation. Mr. Spitler offered his support saying the bill would open thousands of acres eventually for industrial development. He added Storey County desperately needed the economy base this has the potential of supplying. Ms. Tiffany and Mr. Dini concurred. Mr. Dini noted he had the master plan if anyone wanted to view it. Responding to Mr. Close's concern relative to ownership of property around Kal- Kan. Mr. Whittemore stated that land was acquired by a southern California entity that had no ties to Nevada. The road goes up to the Kal-Kan parcel and any additional roadway would be paid by them into that area. None of the funding goes for the benefit of that additional parcel. Ms. Giunchigliani wondered if the I-80 freeway would have to be widened in two years. Mr. Whittemore said there was no indication that the road being designed would have to be widened until additional development takes place, and at that time it would be the obligation of the other individuals. The road from the Patrick interchange to the property line would be a state highway and from that point in would be the responsibility of the private developers. Mark Stevens recommended a July 1, 1995 effective date if the bill is moved out of committee. MS. TIFFANY MOVED AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 270. MR. ALLARD SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH MS. GIUNCHIGLIANI VOTING NO. ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 406 - Makes contingent appropriation to Clark County for improvement to fairgrounds for Clark County fair. To arrest concerns that had been voiced concerning the accounting of monies by people running the fair, Mr. Allard confirmed monies were used for restrooms, paving of handicapped parking and grandstands. Records were audited yearly by an independent auditor. He noted 52,000 people were in attendance at the fair this year, forty nine percent of which were families. Labor is volunteered, and many of the materials are donated by private sources. He noted this appropriation is contingent upon matching funds from the county. A small animal pavilion is in the making and would greatly add to the enjoyment of children in the area. Mrs. Chowning wondered if the matching funds would come from the County Recreation Department. Mr. Allard replied that was correct. Ms. Giunchigliani stated she felt the bill was inappropriate inasmuch as it was a local issue, not a state responsibility. MR. HETTRICK MOVED DO PASS ON A.B. 406. MR. DINI SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ASSEMBLYWOMEN GIUNCHIGLIANI, BROWER AND TIFFANY VOTING NO AND ASSEMBLYWOMAN EVANS ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE. ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 351 - Makes appropriation to City of Las Vegas for California- Nevada Super Speed Ground Transportation Commission. MR. ALLARD MOVED DO PASS ON A.B. 351. MRS. BROWER SECONDED THE MOTION. Mr. Close stated there should be representatives of the governments from the entire southern Nevada area and not just Clark County. He said he would hate to see Clark County have to fund the entire amount in that situation and wondered if a letter of intent could be given to include more of the entities of Clark County. Mr. Arberry responded by saying it had always been a joint venture between the city and the county with the city taking the lead. Chairman Marvel added this is a program of the future and would hate to see it die. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ASSEMBLYMEN SPITLER, TIFFANY AND ASSEMBLYWOMAN GIUNCHIGLIANI VOTING NO. ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 113 - Makes appropriation to Tricounty Railway Commission of Carson City and Lyon and Storey counties for restoration of railroad line from Virginia City to Carson City. Mr. Dini gave an explanation of Amendment No. 711 to A.B. 113 (Exhibit P). Mr. Allard commented he thought this an important program for the entire state and he would support it. Mr. Fettic concurred. Regarding monies being returned to the State General Fund, Mr. Fettic estimated an approximate figure of $500,000 per year. That was based on annual tax revenues to the State of Nevada in the amount of $343,753 including sales tax, room tax and gaming taxes based on an estimate of at least 160,000 rides per year according to the study that was conducted. Mr. Fettic considered this an investment which would bring money into the state and urged committee support. Noting two out of three counties voted against it, at the November 1994 election Ms. Giunchigliani voiced opposition in that she felt it would set a precedent that the state would bail out and go around something, especially when the public voted against it. Mr. Dini said this would be a center of attraction to the entire western Nevada area. Also, he noted with the possible competition with California in gaming, that sort of attraction was needed to bring business to the state. Chairman Marvel concurred. Mark Stevens recommended a July 1, 1995 effective date if the bill was approved. MR. HETTRICK MOVED AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 113 WITH AMENDMENTS OFFERED BY MR. DINI AND EFFECTIVE DATE OF JULY 1, 1995. MR. FETTIC SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ASSEMBLYMEN SPITLER, BROWER AND ASSEMBLYWOMAN GIUNCHIGLIANI VOTING NO. ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 388 - Revises provisions regarding governor's advisory council on education relating to the Holocaust. The verbatim transcript and voting action is submitted as (Exhibit Q). ********** MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH SERVICES - PAGE 1113 OB access for Clark County: Mark Stevens reported this was $50,000 in each year of the Biennium and was discussed during joint closings with the Senate Finance Committee. This amount was taken out and indicated that it could be included in a one-shot appropriation or in a bill. It would basically provide pre-natal care, OB access, pilot project in the Clark County area. It would total $100,000 over the biennium for that purpose. Chairman Marvel indicated the chair would accept a motion for bill introduction. MR. ARBERRY MOVED FOR BILL INTRODUCTION. MRS. CHOWNING SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH MR. FETTIC ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE. ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 271 - Makes appropriation to account for local cultural activities. Mrs. Evans explained this is a program whereby musicians attend schools throughout the state. There had been traditional funding each session with the exception of 1993 due to lack of funds. MR. PRICE MOVED DO PASS ON A.B. 271. MR. HETTRICK SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED . ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 148 - Requires establishment of program to provide grants of money to conservation districts. Mr. Marvel explained the greatest need would be $5,000 each year for each of the 17 conservation districts in each year of the biennium. MR. DINI MOVED AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 148 WITH $85,000 EACH YEAR WITH A TOTAL OF $170,000. MR. FETTIC SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ASSEMBLYMEN SPITLER, TIFFANY AND ASSEMBLYWOMAN GIUNCHIGLIANI VOTING NO. AND TIFFANY VOTING NO. *********** ASSEMBLY BILL 487 - Requires chief of purchasing division of department of administration to establish supplemental food program. Mark Stevens explained State Purchasing stores the food and was involved in distribution as well, at least in bulk to various entities. Mr. Arberry suggested an increase of $100,000 which would take care of both food banks for a total of $200,000. MR. ARBERRY MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 487 WITH A ONE- TIME APPROPRIATION OF $200,000. MR. PRICE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. ********** CANYON IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT Mr. Dini spoke of the flooding several months ago in western Nevada. The Canyon Improvement District is in Storey County, just outside of Sparks. $2 million worth of damage was done including the loss of one of their bridges resulting in only one access road into the area, and additionally they lost part of their water line. The federal government rejected disaster relief. He indicated $175,000 would assist in repairing badly damaged infrastructure. The people are mostly retirees and desperately need help. MR. PRICE MOVED TO AMEND INTO A BILL BEING DRAFTED (A.B. 741). MR. DINI SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH MS. GIUNCHIGLIANI VOTING NO. ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 571 - Revises provisions governing operation of certain regional facilities for children. Chairman Marvel suggested if there was any appetite to pass A.B. 571, the money pertaining to the first year be cut in half. MR. FETTIC MOVED AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 571. MR. DINI SECONDED THE MOTION. Mr. Arberry questioned whether China Springs would be affected. Mr. Hettrick said part of the request for this money was that they would be willing to continue their payments to China Springs because they were obligated to do so. They were hoping to offset that with this money because they were willing to make the China Springs payments. Ultimately, he assumed they would request to be relieved of that obligation because they would have their own facility. Mark Stevens explained it is a combination juvenile facility and also a facility such as China Springs. Only six beds would be used; the rest would be a juvenile detention center, short term. Ms. Giunchigliani stated it was her understanding this becomes a long term budget obligation, so for that reason she could not support the bill. THE MOTION FAILED WITH ASSEMBLYMEN DINI, FETTIC, MARVEL, PRICE, HETTRICK, AND ALLARD VOTING YES. MS. GIUNCHIGLIANI MOVED TO INDEFINITELY POSTPONE A.B. 571. MS. TIFFANY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ASSEMBLYMEN HETTRICK, PRICE, FETTIC, DINI, MARVEL AND ALLARD VOTING NO. ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 458 - Makes appropriation to Churchill County School District for Turnabout AmeriCorps Child Care Program. Mark Stevens reported this would provide ongoing dollars of $20,000 per year. He said a decision needed to be made whether the bill should be "ongoing" or a one- time appropriation if the bill passed. MRS. CHOWNING MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 458 WITH A $40,000 ONE-SHOT APPROPRIATION. MR. DINI SECONDED THE MOTION. Gary Ghiggeri reported if the bill is considered, the money should be appropriated to the Churchill County School District. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ASSEMBLYMEN SPITLER, ASSEMBLYWOMAN GIUNCHIGLIANI, TIFFANY, AND CLOSE VOTING NO. ********** LATCH KEY PROGRAM FOR CLARK COUNTY Mark Stevens reported 35 schools in Clark County would be affected in an after school program during the upcoming biennium. Dollars would be used to pay salaries and benefits of teachers, teachers' aides and the purchase of snacks, etc. Two-thirds of the funding would be used for "at risk" schools, and amounts not expended by the end of the biennium would revert to the state General Fund. Reports would be required on how monies were utilized by February 1, 1997. Responding to Mr. Spitler's inquiry as to why only one area would be targeted, Mr. Arberry stated the request came from Clark County School District for a pilot program in order to make recommendations for the entire state. Mrs. Chowning and Ms. Giunchigliani questioned the need due to possible overlapping of programs. Mr. Arberry volunteered to ask Mr. Alastuey to address the issue the following morning for further clarification. Chairman Marvel agreed the issue would be deferred until the next day. ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 617 - Requires school districts to report to legislature on adequacy of supply of textbooks. Mr. Arberry reported it was his understanding there was some language to delete on Mr. Manendo's bill. There was to be a mandate to report the study's findings at the next legislative session. The amended language stated the report would be to the legislative commission on Page 2, line 9; also to the Department of Administration to delete subsection 3 to take out that mandate. Ms. Giunchigliani stated the districts had an obligation to expend revenue on textbooks as well as other items. Mark Manendo, District 18, said it was his intention to leave the issue of textbooks to the discretion of the committee. There was no action taken on the bill. ********** ASSEMBLY BILL 422 - Designates portion of state highway as the "Extraterrestrial Alien Highway;" Mr. Price clarified the bill would not be used, as appropriations were taken care of in another bill. He asked permission of the committee to amend A.B. 422 by taking out the current language entirely and amending in language to provide for the Extraterrestrial Alien Highway. MR. HETTRICK MOVED AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 422. MR. ALLARD SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH MRS. EVANS ABSENT AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE. ********** The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: Christine Shaw, Committee Secretary Assembly Committee on Ways and Means June 28, 1995 Page