MINUTES OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Sixty-eighth Session April 10, 1995 The Senate Committee on Finance was called to order by Chairman William J. Raggio, at 8:00 a.m., on Monday, April 10, 1995, in Room 223 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Senator William J. Raggio, Chairman Senator Raymond D. Rawson, Vice Chairman Senator Lawrence E. Jacobsen Senator Bob Coffin Senator William R. O'Donnell Senator Dean A. Rhoads COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator Bernice Mathews (Excused) STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Miles, Fiscal Analyst Bob Guernsey, Principal Deputy Fiscal Analyst Jeanne Botts, Program Analyst Cristin Buchanan, Committee Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: Lorne J. Malkiewich, Director, Legislative Counsel Bureau Henry Etchemendy, Lobbyist, Nevada Association of School Boards Judith Williams, Director, Nevada Project of Leadership in Education Administration Development (LEAD) Mary Peterson, Superintendent of Public Instruction, State Department of Education Mary Nebgen, Superintendent, Washoe County School District Nat Lommori, Superintendent, Lyon County School District Harold P. Ridgway, Jr., Deputy Superintendent, Elko County School District Dede Goodnight, President, Nevada Association of School Boards, Member, Washoe County School Board Carol Lark, Principal, Kahre Elementary School, Clark County School District John P. Comeaux, Director, Department of Administration Randy Walstrom, Member, Douglas County School Board Kevin Crowe, Director, Planning, Research and Evaluation, State Department of Education Denise K. Quon, Education Consultant, Occupational Research Unit, State Department of Education Patty Benson, Student Administrator, Information Systems, Washoe County School District Mike Rask, Executive Director, State Council on Occupational Education Russell Colletta, Principal, Yerington Elementary School, Lyon County School District Frank South, Director, Elementary and Secondary Education, State Department of Education Tom Anderes, Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration, University and Community College System of Nevada Joseph N. Crowley, President, University of Nevada, Reno Richard S. Jarvis, Chancellor, University and Community College System of Nevada Senator Raggio introduced Bill Draft Request (BDR) 1-1841 and solicited committee introduction. BILL DRAFT REQUEST 1-1841: Increases number of judges of family court in eighth judicial district. SENATOR JACOBSEN MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR 1-1841. SENATOR RHOADS SECONDED THE MOTION THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATORS COFFIN, RAWSON AND MATHEWS WERE ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.) ***** Senator Raggio distributed Bill Draft Request (BDR) 38-1807 for the committee's review. BILL DRAFT REQUEST 38-1807: Requires establishment of family resource centers in certain neighborhoods to provide and administer social services. SENATOR JACOBSEN MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR 38-1807. SENATOR O'DONNELL SECONDED THE MOTION THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATORS RAWSON AND MATHEWS WERE ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.) ***** Senator Raggio introduced Bill Draft Request (BDR) 40-1246. BILL DRAFT REQUEST 40-1246: Modifies program to subsidize malpractice insurance premiums for providers of prenatal care in areas of state that lack services for prenatal care. SENATOR RAWSON MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR 40-1246. SENATOR JACOBSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR MATHEWS WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.) ***** Lorne J. Malkiewich, Director, Legislative Counsel Bureau, requested that the committee request a bill draft for an appropriation to the legislative fund in the amount of $3.6 million to fund the Legislature through June 15, 1995. SENATOR COFFIN MOVED FOR THE COMMITTEE TO REQUEST A BILL DRAFT FOR AN APPROPRIATION TO THE LEGISLATIVE FUND. SENATOR JACOBSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATORS RAWSON AND MATHEWS WERE ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.) ***** Senator Raggio solicited public testimony on Senate Bill (S.B.) 78. SENATE BILL 78: Makes appropriation to department of education for training of school administrators. Henry Etchemendy, Lobbyist, Nevada Association of School Boards, indicated the State Department of Education had requested funding for the Nevada Project of Leadership in Education Administration Development (LEAD) in their budget request, but it was not recommended by the Governor. He explained S.B. 78 will provide the funding necessary to continue Nevada Project LEAD. Senator Raggio questioned how long the program has been in existence. Mr. Etchemendy responded the program was initiated in 1987. He reflected the program was originally funded through a federal grant; however, school districts now provide the funding for the program. Senator Raggio asked if the administrators, who attend the program, pay a fee to participate. Mr. Etchemendy answered in the affirmative and stated the participants pay a small fee of $25 per session, which covers the costs for refreshments and the facility. Project LEAD pays all other expenses. Senator Raggio questioned if the department of education has a budget for the program. Judith Williams, Director, Nevada Project of Leadership in Education Administration Development (LEAD) affirmed there is a budget for the program, which she will provide to the committee at a later date. She said program participants usually pay a $25 fee to attend each session. Ms. Williams provided a summary of the program and its future activities while reviewing Exhibit C, and subsequent letters of support have been included for the record (Exhibit C. Original on file in the Research Library). Senator Raggio inquired as to the total budget of the program. Ms. Williams concluded the budget for the program this year is $163,000. Senator Raggio questioned from where will the program obtain the balance of the funding should the state appropriate $80,000. Ms. Williams replied the school districts in the State of Nevada have always contributed to the program. She clarified, "I have received no indication that there would be anything different, but I cannot speak at this time for the superintendents. This is the time of year when I normally approach them...to seek their support for the coming year." Senator Raggio cautioned the state has always expressed a reluctance to fund the program should federal funding be terminated. He clarified the program is worthy, and he requested information on the financial support for the program from the school districts. He affirmed, "This is not a commitment on the part of the committee, but we will need some indication of the level of support from the school districts...for this program." Senator Rhoads asserted, "In the private sector, we have to pay for our own training...Why should the taxpayers have to pay for some of the most highly salaried people in the state...for training?" Ms. Williams responded school administrators are constantly faced with additional responsibilities within their field. She reflected, "They are public servants and the benefit of the training is a part of the benefit that we provide to the children of the State of Nevada...there is a correlation between the well- trained administrator and the services and education that the students receive." Senator Rhoads asked if a participant pays for any portion of the training. Ms. Williams answered in the affirmative. Senator Rhoads cautioned that although the program is beneficial and well received, the state cannot fund every project which is abandoned by the federal government. Senator Jacobsen queried if Project LEAD is a voluntary program and if all school districts within the state have participated. Ms. Williams answered in the affirmative. Senator Jacobsen asked if the same number of school board members, teachers and administrators attend the program. Ms. Williams clarified that the topic of the seminar determines which type of educator will attend. Mary Peterson, Superintendent of Public Instruction, State Department of Education, testified in support of S.B. 78 and read from prepared text (Exhibit D). Senator O'Donnell questioned whether the department included funding for the program in its proposed budget to the administration. Ms. Peterson confirmed the department did include funding for Project LEAD in the budget; however, the Governor did not recommend it. Senator O'Donnell asked if the Governor or the Budget Office provided an explanation for declination of the program funding. Ms. Peterson replied, "I do not think there was any question about the effectiveness of the program...but as you well know, there is never enough money to go around." Mary Nebgen, Superintendent, Washoe County School District, appeared in support of S.B. 78. She stated: I am speaking this morning not just on behalf of the Washoe County School District, but also as the president of the Nevada Association of School District Superintendents...We agree on the efficacy and the need for Project LEAD...We can bring in nationally known speakers through Project LEAD that we could not do any other way. Senator Raggio asked how much will the school districts contribute to fund the program. Ms. Nebgen indicated the school districts contribute a base amount in addition to a per-student charge, so each district contributes an amount in proportion to its size. Senator Raggio asked what is the combined amount contributed from all the school districts to fund the program. Ms. Williams reflected, in the past, the school districts have contributed approximately $70,000 per year to fund the project. Senator Raggio questioned if the school districts have committed to donate a total of $70,000 per year over the next biennium. Ms. Williams clarified she has not received a formal commitment from the superintendents of the school districts. Senator Raggio declared the committee will not discuss the bill further without receiving a budget for the program and written commitment from the school districts, or other sources, of the amount they will contribute to fund Project LEAD. He insisted, "I can assure you that it [the bill] will not even receive consideration without those two things being furnished." Nat Lommori, Superintendent, Lyon County School District, provided a summary of the benefits his district has received from Project LEAD. He commented, "We encourage you to consider this bill. As a single superintendent, it would be my position to continue the funding from our district through Project LEAD. We find it invaluable." Harold P. Ridgeway, Jr., Deputy Superintendent, Elko County School District, testified in support of funding for Project LEAD. He emphasized the importance of Project LEAD in providing materials and information to the school districts. Senator Raggio commented, "I do not think there is any question about the value of the program. At this point, this committee has nothing before it to indicate why $80,000 is required each year of the biennium. We have to look at it as any other kind of appropriation." Senator Raggio questioned if the school districts would continue to contribute to the program if the committee does not approve the appropriation. He stressed, "If you are not willing to make that kind of commitment, I do not know why we should." Mr. Ridgeway responded the Elko County School District will continue to contribute to the program even if the committee does not approve the appropriation. He emphasized that without the additional funding from the state, the program will not be able to attract the same quality of speakers as it is able to do at the current funding level. Ms. Nebgen expressed the commitment of Washoe County School District to continue funding the program regardless of whether the state appropriates funds for the program. Senator Raggio reminded the testifiers the program "is going to have to compete with...other requests the committee has to consider." Dede Goodnight, President, Nevada Association of School Boards, Member, Washoe County School Board, appeared before the committee to testify in favor of S.B. 78 for funding of Project LEAD. Senator Raggio asked if the Washoe County School Board is committed to continue funding for Project LEAD. Ms. Goodnight answered in the affirmative. Carol Lark, Principal, Kahre Elementary School, Clark County School District, indicated she is appearing before the committee as a representative of the Clark County Association of School Administrators and referenced a letter from the Executive Director, Allin Chandler (Exhibit E). She stated, "One of the main things that brought me to this state and to Las Vegas [from Montana] was the fact that we have opportunities to grow professionally...Some of the most exciting educational developments that have taken place in my building have been through Project LEAD." Senator Raggio asked if Montana utilized federal funding to participate in Project LEAD. Ms. Lark said the state of Montana utilized federal funding to invest in teacher centers and to purchase books and films. Senator Raggio asked John P. Comeaux why the Governor did not recommend funding for Project LEAD. John P. Comeaux, Director, Department of Administration, explained, "This was one of many requests from the State Department of Education that we just did not get to. We funded what we could, items that were of higher priority to the department, and ran out of money." Randy Walstrom, Member, Douglas County School Board, in support of funding for Project LEAD, emphasized, "You can have excellence within a classroom, but you cannot have excellence within a school without good administrators...This is very powerful for the district." Senator Raggio asked if the Douglas County School Board will continue to support the project if the state does not allocate the requested funds. Mr. Walstrom replied the district will contribute what it can. The superintendent of the Lander County School District, E. Leon Hensley, faxed a letter in support of funding for Project LEAD (Exhibit F). Closing the hearing on S.B. 78, Senator Raggio solicited testimony in support of Senate Bill (S.B.) 204. SENATE BILL 204: Makes appropriation to department of education for development of statewide system of reports and analyses of information concerning pupils. Ms. Peterson stated funding for S.B. 204 is included in the Governor's list of recommended one-shot appropriations. She indicated the statewide system in S.B. 204, Statewide Management of Automated Record Transfer (SMART) system, is described in Exhibit G (Exhibit G. Original on file in the Research Library.). The system will enable the department to increase educational accountability statewide, streamline federal, state and local data reporting and build a statewide networking infrastructure which will benefit the entire education community. Kevin Crowe, Director, Planning, Research and Evaluation, State Department of Education, provided a video for viewing entitled, "Experiencing the Power" Educational Networking, published by the National Center for Education Statistics. He gave a brief overview of the SMART system by reviewing Exhibit H. Senator Raggio questioned the cost of the hardware for the system. Mr. Crowe indicated the total cost for the hardware to implement the system is approximately $15.5 million. He indicated the reason the cost for the hardware is high is, "We found that most of the schools did not have the capacity...virtually all of this money goes through to the schools." Senator Raggio inquired if some school districts already have equipment that can be utilized for the SMART system. Mr. Crowe acknowledged some schools do have equipment that can be integrated into the system. He assured the committee each district will submit a plan, which builds on its existing equipment, to the department. Senator Rawson queried: I understand that this...fits into the accountability concerns...I am trying to sort...if this is the best place to put that kind of money. If we put $16 million into student accessed computers, we could change our ratio from 42 students to one computer to...8 students to one computer. That could translate into an effective program for teaching kids...It [the SMART plan] is effective administration, and I do not question that at all, but has there been discussion about one versus the other? Mr. Crowe confirmed, "There has been discussion along those lines." He confirmed the SMART system will establish a foundation for Internet usage which can also be utilized for other automation projects. Exhibit I sets forth the benefits of the SMART system. Senator Rawson questioned if the older equipment currently used by the schools will be passed on for use by the students. Mr. Crowe answered in the affirmative. Jeanne Botts, Program Analyst, Legislative Counsel Bureau, informed the committee of a $29 million one-shot appropriation to the school districts. She indicated most of the schools plan to use the appropriated funds to purchase computer hardware and software for student use. Senator Raggio asked, "Why should we appropriate $11.2 million for the SMART program, which evidently a large portion is for the workstations and the equipment, if in fact the $29 million special appropriation is going to be used in large measure for computers?" Ms. Botts responded the $29 million one-shot appropriation will provide computers for instructional purposes for student use whereas the SMART system will address administrative needs and serve the accountability purpose. Ms. Peterson interjected the $29 million appropriation provides a degree of flexibility that is not present for school districts who will receive funding for the SMART system. Senator Raggio commented since the bill requesting the $29 million appropriation is in the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, the Senate Committee on Finance does not know the exact contents of that bill. He stated the committee will need additional information before it can process S.B. 204, and asked if the school districts have provided lists of equipment they plan to purchase if the appropriation currently being considered in the Assembly is approved. Ms. Peterson replied the districts have provided an outline of equipment and promised to furnish the list to the committee. Senator Coffin questioned, "...The greatest need according to your study team, was lack of timely record transfer. Is that covered in here...exactly which records need to be transferred within a district to the State Department of Education and how this would improve them?" Mr. Crowe replied: The department is undertaking a couple of efforts...which really respond to the question you have. We are beginning to look within the department to consolidate...information that we request from the districts and will publish this summer...the data acquisition plan, which outlines all of the information, by form and by data element...the districts have to submit to us...We are encouraging the districts to undertake that process so that we will know exactly what data and what information needs to be transferred. Senator Coffin stated the published plan will come too late for the committee to process S.B. 204. Mr. Crowe declared he could provide the committee with the last data acquisition plan from 1991, which encompasses approximately 300 to 400 requests for information per year from the department to the districts. He emphasized the SMART system will replace the need to distribute 300 to 400 requests per year as well as the need to publish a data acquisition plan. Senator Coffin queried, "Do you anticipate that many of those requests would not be necessary anymore after the funding formula for education is changed to the federal level?" Mr. Crowe contended the policy makers will still need to know the same information even though the funding level will change. Senator Coffin asked if the SMART system addresses and solves the problem of slow record transfers. Mr. Crowe clarified the system will eliminate all of the manual paperwork. He attested the system is versatile and can be altered to include additional functions as they are needed. He indicated the system will also enable the department to conduct longitudinal studies of students. Senator Coffin illustrated, "I think you can see some real specifics would be helpful." Denise K. Quon, Education Consultant, Occupational Research Unit, State Department of Education, clarified the study results showed the difficulties in obtaining data in a quick and efficient manner. Senator Raggio asked if the funding requested in S.B. 204 will be sufficient to fully implement the system. He also requested information on the time frame for implementation of the system. Mr. Crowe informed the chairman an implementation plan is included in Exhibit H. He indicated the appropriation requested in the bill should be enough to implement the system; however, future small appropriations may be sought in order to maintain the system. Senator Raggio inquired as to the amount needed to maintain the system. Mr. Crowe replied an appropriation of approximately $4 million or less may be requested for the 1997 biennium. Senator Raggio questioned whether existing school district equipment can be incorporated into the system to lower the overall cost of implementation. Ms. Quon responded the implementation of the system will establish a minimum sound structure for technology. Additional funding in future bienniums will update the system to maintain pace with technology. Patty Benson, Student Administrator, Information Systems, Washoe County School District, stated the Washoe County School District has been furnishing computers in each classroom at the secondary level and the SMART system will build on the computers already in place. Senator Raggio asked about the cost and who will pay for the operation of the ongoing system. Ms. Peterson surmised the school districts will pay the operating costs of the program. Senator Raggio questioned if it is a generally agreed upon assumption of the school districts that they will be responsible for paying the costs to operate the program. Ms. Peterson responded, "I believe so and there are other members of the education community who can answer that question directly, but I see Washoe County and Elko County represented here and saying that they too have the understanding that the operating costs would be their cost." Senator O'Donnell questioned what kind of data from larger counties would the rural counties have an interest in. Ms. Benson stated the rural counties will primarily need student data transferred to them in instances when a student transfers from a different county. Senator O'Donnell inquired as to the access a student will have to the system. He cautioned that the system will contain vital information about students and he is concerned about the confidentiality issues. Ms. Quon clarified: The specific terminals we referred to will be devoted for administrative purposes. The network can be used as a backbone...for other terminals that are devoted for students to use. They can use the backbone to get out, but basically the specific terminals we are referring to and the data that would be student information data, would only be used by authorized parties.... Senator O'Donnell emphasized, "My problem is the fact that this is sold as a computer system for the students and, in actuality, it is not. It is a computer system for administrators so they can be more efficient to help students." Senator Jacobsen asked if the system will be implemented at any of the juvenile facilities whose educational systems are connected with a respective school district. Ms. Quon reflected, "If those juvenile facilities are associated with the school districts, then yes, we would have information on those specific students and be able to provide results of what is going on with those kids." Senator Raggio advised Mr. Crowe he has just been provided with information from the State Department of Education on the issue of school accountability, in which literature on the SMART system indicates it as being one of the primary goals of the system. He commented the information from the department indicates the system will not generate school accountability reports as required by Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 385.347. He cautioned, "If I am going to vote to spend $11 million on an issue of accountability and whatever else, this better surely generate school by school accountability reports that are mandated in the law..." Ms. Peterson stated should the committee wish, the department can develop a student record so the system can be adapted to produce the school accountability reports. Senator Raggio generalized, "You now have the ability in each district to collect most of this information, but apparently you do not have the ability to transmit it across the system. Is that what you are saying?" Mr. Crowe answered in the affirmative and clarified the system will also enable the school districts to electronically transfer transcripts to post-secondary institutions. Senator Raggio commented, "As one member of the committee, I want to see $15 million worth of information if we are going to appropriate this money and with all due respect, I am not hearing that at this point." Senator Rhoads asked if the implementation of an automated system will enable the department to eliminate any positions. Ms. Peterson confirmed the system will provide a time savings for educators. Senator Rhoads requested figures for the expected time savings. Ms. Peterson indicated she will provide the committee with those figures. Senator Rawson inquired if the funding for the SMART system could be administered from the trust fund for educational technology. Ms. Peterson indicated it would not be a problem to administer the system from the trust fund. Mike Rask, Executive Director, State Council on Occupational Education, spoke of Dr. Jay Pfeiffer, who currently runs the Florida Education and Training Placement in Information Program, a complicated and sophisticated system similar to the SMART system. Mr. Rask read comments from Dr. Pfeiffer (Exhibit J) in support of an automated student data base system. Praising the Florida data base system, Mr. Rask declared that due to the K-12, community colleges and university data bases, school districts are able to receive feedback about the success or failure of students and make appropriate modifications at the appropriate system levels. Russell Colletta, Principal, Yerington Elementary School, Lyon County School District, testified: I was a member of the study team that produced this plan. I would like to cut to Senator Raggio's question of what are we going to get for $15 million if this bill is funded...We [the study team] recognized that there is a great disparity in the use of technology from district to district. Very little of that technology is dedicated to the communication aspect...I believe that what this plan will do primarily, is to...provide for the infrastructure...in educational institutions for that communication to take place....We discovered, virtually at every level...the inaccessibility of information. We know that the information exists, we know that it is in a data base, but unfortunately, that information cannot be easily shared. We know that in order to make good decisions...you have to have good, accurate, reliable information...We believe that this plan will allow for that to happen. It will...allow the data bases that exist, and the ones that need to be created, to communicate with each other. Mr. Ridgeway addressed various concerns of the committee and stated the SMART system has provisions which ensure the confidentiality of the information contained within it. Turning to the accountability issue raised by Senator Raggio, Mr. Ridgeway emphasized that although the system, as it exists now, will not enable the school districts to print school by school accountability reports, it will enable the schools to compile the data used to develop the reports. Senator Raggio stated Mr. Crowe indicated the system can be altered to add the ability to produce the reports. Mr. Ridgeway pointed out the system does not perform that function, as it is currently set up. He stated, "In the Elko County School District, we could compile and pull the information off of the computer...to put together that report." Mr. Ridgeway stated without the use of the SMART system, the school district must use pencil and paper to compile the information used in the reports. He distributed a schedule (Exhibit K) to the committee showing how the Elko County School District would utilize the funds from the SMART system. Senator Raggio closed the hearing on S.B. 204, and solicited testimony on Senate Bill (S.B.) 226. SENATE BILL 226: Creates trust fund for educational technology. Frank South, Director, Elementary and Secondary Education, State Department of Education, testified in support of S.B. 226, reading from prepared text (Exhibit L). Senator Raggio inquired as to the potential for gifts and grants to this fund. Mr. South replied according to information provided to him, gifts or donations may range from $5,000 or $10,000 to over $1 million. Senator Raggio asked, "Is it highly likely that there are people waiting to make these kinds of gifts and grants?" Mr. South clarified gifts or grants in the $5,000 to $10,000 range are within the norm than larger donations. Confirming no other testimony on S.B. 226 was forthcoming, Senator Raggio closed the hearing and commenced the hearing on Senate Bill (S.B.) 239. SENATE BILL 239: Provides for retention of unencumbered balances of legislative appropriations made to University and Community College System of Nevada. Tom Anderes, Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration, University and Community College System of Nevada, testified in support of S.B. 239, stating the bill will allow departments within the state to meet unanticipated demands, utilize resources in an efficient manner and provide for reserves to be used for emergency purposes. Joseph N. Crowley, President, University of Nevada, Reno, testified in support of S.B. 239 and stated the bill will enable the university and community college system to "...do a better stewardship...of the public purse, as well as serving a set of very useful purposes for the institutions." Senator Raggio asked for a history with respect to reversions to the General Fund. Mr. Crowley recalled that in Fiscal Year (FY) 1991, $917,000 was reverted back to the General Fund; FY 1992, $527,000 was reverted; FY 1993, $340,000 reverted; and FY 1994, only $13,800 was returned to the state. Senator Jacobsen voiced his concern that if the bill is passed, it might set a precedent for other state agencies to make similar requests. Closing the hearing on S.B. 239, Senator Raggio opened discussion on Senate Bill (S.B.) 205. SENATE BILL 205: Makes appropriation to University and Community College System of Nevada for scholarships for students. Senator Raggio indicated he has received information from the University and Community College System of Nevada (Exhibit M) setting forth the proposed use of the additional funds from increased tuition. He asked, "The request from the university was that this be processed timely in order to allow for grants for scholarships of at least one-half this amount to be available for the fall academic year. Is that correct?" Mr. Anderes answered in the affirmative. Senator Raggio requested assurance the tuition increase will not be used for scholarships. Mr. Anderes assured Senator Raggio the additional funds raised from tuition increases will not be used for scholarships. Senator Raggio asked, "The way the bill is written, if it is passed...this way, it becomes effective upon passage or approval, so it could be used for those purposes without amendment...Is it your intention that only half of it would be used for the first year of the biennium?" Richard S. Jarvis, Chancellor, University and Community College System of Nevada, stated that is his understanding. Senator Rhoads requested the record to reflect, "I am going to support this, but I want to go on record that I would not support it on an annual basis...I hope it is not built into the budget in the future...But I will support it." Senator Raggio asserted: I think we have made clear in this committee that this is not to be construed as an ongoing commitment. It happens to be available funding...the Governor has approached it that way and this committee is approaching it that way. You should not anticipate that it is going to be part of an ongoing commitment.... SENATOR O'DONNELL MOVED TO DO PASS S.B. 205. SENATOR JACOBSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR MATHEWS WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.) ***** The committee took action on the following bills which were heard in previous meetings. Senator Raggio solicited a vote on Assembly Bill (A.B.) 31. ASSEMBLY BILL 31: Repeals state forester firewarden's revolving account. SENATOR JACOBSEN MOVED TO DO PASS A.B. 31. SENATOR RAWSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR MATHEWS WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.) ***** Senator Raggio entertained a motion on Assembly Bill (A.B.) 32. ASSEMBLY BILL 32: Makes appropriation to legislative counsel bureau for reproduction of older Nevada Reports. SENATOR RAWSON MOVED TO DO PASS A.B. 32. SENATOR O'DONNELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR MATHEWS WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.) ***** The Technology Committee of Galena High School submitted Exhibit N subsequent to the meeting in support of S.B. 226. There being no further business, Senator Raggio adjourned the meeting at 10:20 a.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: Cristin Buchanan, Committee Secretary APPROVED BY: Senator William J. Raggio, Chairman DATE: Senate Committee on Finance April 10, 1995 Page