MINUTES OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Sixty-eighth Session June 16, 1995 The Senate Committee on Finance was called to order by Chairman William J. Raggio, at 7:40 a.m., on Friday, June 16, 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 Dean A. Rhoads Senator Bernice Mathews COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator William R. O'Donnell (Excused) STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Miles, Fiscal Analyst Bob Guernsey, Principal Deputy Fiscal Analyst Cristin Buchanan, Committee Secretary Senator Raggio began review of Exhibit C, 1995 Legislature Joint Committee Budget Action Difference Closing Report, outlining the differences in the budget closings in each house. Referring to page 2 of Exhibit C, Senator Raggio questioned whether the Assembly has heard the bill (Senate Bill (S.B.) 224) regarding the proposed Legislative Budget Office. SENATE BILL 224: Makes various changes regarding preparation of state budget and review of federal mandates and encroachments. Dan Miles, Fiscal Analyst, Fiscal Analysis Division, Legislative Counsel Bureau, commented the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means will be hearing S.B. 224 within the next couple of days. Mr. Miles commented on the Automation budget (page 1751 of the Executive Budget), that both committees are in agreement for funding leases for a document imager and computer equipment upgrades in accordance with the Department of Motor Vehicle and Public Safety's (DMV&PS) five point plan, except the Assembly has placed the funds for the equipment in a reserve account rather than an expense account. Senator Raggio commented, "I think we can agree with that." Moving on to page 7 of Exhibit C, the Bicycle Safety Program, budget page 1809, Senator Raggio stated the difference in budget closing actions of the two houses is the Assembly has opted to eliminate a position which has recently been filled. Senator Rawson explained, "We should hope that they [the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means] would go with us because there is a person in the position." Addressing the High Level Nuclear Waste budget (page 8 of Exhibit C), Senator Raggio advised: We need to make the legislative committee even in numbers...We need to have some reporting...and oversight by the existing legislative committee. We will do that in a bill. Is there a bill in your committee [Senate Committee on Natural Resources], Dean [Rhoads]? Senator Rhoads responded in the affirmative. Senator Raggio stated the committee will provide authorization for the federal funding contained in that bill. Moving forward to the Forestry Honor Camps budget (page 9 of Exhibit C), Senator Raggio asked Senator Jacobsen what the Assembly has proposed for this budget. Senator Jacobsen commented the Assembly feels there is no need for the assistant camp supervisors, at the present time, and proposed the division should have authority to be able to come before the Interim Finance Committee (IFC), should a need for those positions arise. Senator Raggio indicated he will give the division that authority. He continued his review of Exhibit C, and inquired as to the revised figures for the State Industrial Insurance System budget (page 13 of Exhibit C). Mr. Miles indicated the figures contained in the Enhancement 276 (E-276) decision unit have changed slightly based upon passage of Senate Bill (S.B.) 458. SENATE BILL 458: Makes various changes to provisions relating to industrial insurance. Senator Raggio requested Mr. Miles to explain the proposed adjustments to Senate Bill (S.B.) 217, which was heard in committee in May 29, 1995. SENATE BILL 217: Makes appropriation to department of prisons for expenses related to Stewart conservation camp and Indian Springs conservation camp. Mr. Miles distributed Exhibit D, containing the figures for the one-shot appropriations in S.B. 217. He advised the committee: When we had the hearing on the bill...you may recall...the original request [for the Stewart Conservation Camp] was for $273,661 and that had been reduced to $85,605 because many of the items were included in the CIP [Capital Improvement Project]...The third page [of Exhibit D], was the new equipment required for the Indian Springs boot camp expansion, which has been deleted from the budget, so we are recommending that those funds...be reduced...so the new total in the bill would be the $85,605. SENATOR RAWSON MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS AS AMENDED S.B. 217. SENATOR JACOBSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR O'DONNELL WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.) ***** Senator Raggio requested the members of the committee to submit lists of bills they wish to be processed. Senator Rawson commented: I just wanted to remind staff and the committee, that on the Medicaid Managed Care, we need to carry authority into the interim to be able to change course or make adjustments to adapt to anything from block grants to a change to an 1115 waiver. That probably needs to be written into the final appropriation bill for authorization. He suggested appointing a subcommittee of the IFC to deal directly with that issue and report to the full IFC with recommendations. Senator Coffin questioned, "Is it going to be our legislative intent to move on two tracks on the waiver process and then make a decision and report that to IFC?" Senator Rawson replied, "We will start on the 1915B, since it has been submitted, but begin the hearings on how to put together a medically needy program and expand it. Then if that seems appropriate, go ahead and begin the pursuit of the 1115." Senator Coffin addressed S.B. 224, indicating he has a proposed amendment which will make the IFC the budget committee. Senator Raggio indicated he does not have a problem with the proposal and asked Mr. Miles if that will pose a problem. Mr. Miles responded in the negative. Senator Raggio recessed the meeting at 8:05 a.m., to reconvene at the call of the chair. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: Cristin Buchanan, Committee Secretary APPROVED BY: Senator William J. Raggio, Chairman DATE: Senate Committee on Finance June 16, 1995 Page