MINUTES OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Sixty-eighth Session July 1, 1995 The Senate Committee on Finance was called to order by Chairman William J. Raggio, at 8:15 a.m., on Saturday, July 1, 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 Senator Bernice Mathews GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT: Assemblywoman Gene Wines Segerblom, Clark County Assembly District No. 22 Assemblyman Larry L. Spitler, Clark County Assembly District No. 41 Assemblywoman Christina R. Giunchigliani, Clark County Assembly District No. 9 Assemblyman Joseph E. Dini, Jr., Assembly District No. 38 STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Miles, Fiscal Analyst Mark Stevens, Fiscal Analyst Bob Guernsey, Principal Deputy Fiscal Analyst Steve Abba, Program Analyst Judy Jacobs, Committee Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: Raymond L. Sparks, Acting Deputy Director, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety John P. Comeaux, Director, Department of Administration Michael A. Pitlock, Executive Director, Department of Taxation Bob Barengo, Lobbyist, Amusement and Vending Operators of Nevada The committee expressed best wishes to Senator Jacobsen on his birthday. Senator Raggio stated a need to concur or not concur in Assembly Amendment No. 1352 to Senate Bill (S.B.) 214. SENATE BILL 214: Exempts certain health maintenance organizations from specified statutory requirements and makes appropriation to welfare division of department of human resources for certain costs accrued before commencement of Nevada Medicaid managed care program. He called attention to the proposed changes set forth in the amendment. The committee decided to delay action pending detailed explanation of the changes. The next item to be discussed was Amendment No. 1507 to S.B. 210. SENATE BILL 210: Makes appropriations to finance state's share of business process re-engineering for certain divisions and departments. Senator Raggio noted the committee agreed to amend and do pass the measure on June 30. Dan Miles, Fiscal Analyst, stated the appropriation for the Department of Human Resources will be restricted and cannot be released until a report is made to the Interim Finance Committee (IFC) with a specific plan. The second part of the amendment, he said, appropriates an additional $350,000 for a joint business process re-engineering (BPR) study between the Department of Business and Industry and the Department of Taxation. According to Mr. Miles, the third proposed change, not included in the amendment, relates to public safety and provides for a letter of intent in the event federal funds become available. SENATOR O'DONNELL MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS S.B. 210 WITH AMENDMENT NO. 1507, AND TO INCLUDE A LETTER OF INTENT REGARDING A BPR TO BE UTILIZED IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE DEPARTMENT OF PRISONS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PUBLIC SAFETY DEPENDING UPON THE AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDING. SENATOR RAWSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. * * * * * Senator Raggio opened the hearing on Assembly Bill (A.B.) 326. ASSEMBLY BILL 326: Makes appropriation for establishment and maintenance of branch office of department of motor vehicles and public safety in Laughlin. He noted the bill includes an appropriation of $185,521 in Fiscal Year (FY) 1996, and of $121,411 in FY 1997. Assemblywoman Gene Wines Segerblom, Clark County Assembly District No. 22, noted Laughlin is the third largest gaming center in the state from which $500 million is turned over in state taxes and gaming revenue. However, she declared, Laughlin receives just $1.8 million from the state. She stated Laughlin is the largest unincorporated town in Clark County, and ties with Reno for the third largest casino-resort destination in the United States after Las Vegas and Atlantic City, New Jersey. She pointed out Laughlin contains 8,000 permanent residents, while 5.5 million people visit the town each year. Up until now, Ms. Segerblom declared, residents of Laughlin have been forced to drive 90 miles to obtain a driver's license or to register a vehicle. She pointed out it will be less costly to open an office in Laughlin than to continue to transport a team to the town four times each month. She stated the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety (DMV&PS) has indicated approval of a new facility. Raymond L. Sparks, Acting Deputy Director, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety, stated the department currently provides driver's license service in Laughlin through use of a travel team which spends 2 days per week there, every other week, but no vehicle registration services are provided. The nearest site for registration is in Henderson, he said. Mr. Sparks reported a study has indicated the cost of an office will be just slightly greater than the cost of the travel team. He said the department will be able to rent an office in a new county facility in which space has specifically been allocated for DMV&PS. He explained the requested funding will equip the office, it will provide for two full-time positions, one for registration and one for driver's licensing, and it will pay rent on the facility. Mr. Sparks acknowledged the two positions are not included in the budget. As for vacations, he explained personnel are temporarily assigned to other offices with only two employees, such as is done in Tonopah. Senator Raggio requested detail on projected costs be provided, including salaries and fringe benefits as well as other costs. In the absence of further testimony, Senator Raggio closed the hearing on A.B. 326 and reopened the hearing on S.B. 214. Steve Abba, Program Analyst, came forward to explain the Assembly amendment to S.B. 214. He stated there are two amendments for the purpose of clarification. He explained on page 2, section 2 the original bill provided $12.8 million to the Medicaid program, whereas in the Assembly revision the funds will be exclusively allocated to accrued costs for Medicaid recipients in the specific, designated programs. According to Mr. Abba, the other amendment, found on the first page in section 1, subsection 4, removes certain sections of the statutes from the provision to exclude health maintenance organizations (HMOs). He explained: There [were] certain provisions of NRS [Nevada Revised Statutes] 695C that would exclude the HMOs that are going to participate in the managed care program from certain regulations now that just wouldn't be appropriate for the type of population that would be served in Medicaid managed care. What was amended is that under this section the provisions were excluded from [NRS] 695C.265 to [NRS] 695C.300. There was some concern from the insurance division that excluding certain sections in there would not allow for certain types of competition. The Department of Human Resources felt they could handle that issue in the RFP [request for proposal] when it would go out to all the different providers, but the insurance division felt they would be more comfortable by not excluding that section. Senator Rawson expressed concern relative to S.B. 428, the welfare reform proposal made by Senator Maurice E. Washington. SENATE BILL 428: Requires establishment of program for self- sufficiency of applicants for and recipients of aid to families with dependent children. While acknowledging it may be impossible to resolve some problems, Senator Rawson declared: Senator Washington has been put through the most rigorous grilling, I think, that we've ever seen. They've kept him days on that bill. Two nights ago he was there all day and at 10:00 o'clock in the evening he was the last person there before they recognized him. He's the sponsor of the bill. They have done everything they can to make it difficult and uncomfortable for him. They continually resist taking any kind of a vote on it. They actually leave the room so that there won't be quorum to be able to pass anything. They simply have delayed. Senator Rawson reported promises have been made to Senator Washington, and even when he has made changes, no vote has been taken. Acknowledging this may be the last day of the Legislature, Senator Rawson asserted there is no intention by the committee in the other house to process S.B. 428. He proposed the provisions of the bill be amended into other bills to be sent back to the Assembly. He declared it may be appropriate to amend the provisions of S.B. 428 into S.B. 405 which addresses family resource centers. SENATE BILL 405: Provides for establishment of family resource centers in certain neighborhoods to provide and administer social services. SENATOR RAWSON MOVED TO AMEND S.B. 405 TO INCLUDE THE PROVISIONS OF S.B. 428 AS AMENDED AND PASSED BY THE SENATE. SENATOR RHOADS SECONDED THE MOTION. Senator Coffin remarked the two measures are not really related. He declared the welfare reform in S.B. 428 is related only to Aid for Dependent Children, whereas S.B. 405 relates to all children. He said, "It's related to keeping families together and keeping kids busy. It is just like it would be improper to mess with that bill...." He asserted, "The senator tried to put a ridiculous amendment into the Senate Bill 405 which would have required parental consent for the kids to even have any services." Senator Coffin declared the amendment was excessive and thus the Senate Committee on Finance moderated it to prevent dispensing of contraceptives, which he called a "reasonable change," along with the confidentiality change. He stated, "To now openly, blatantly hold that bill hostage, I think would be a mistake." Senator Coffin acknowledged S.B. 428 has some meritorious qualities, but he charged it will be a "budget buster" and will add $7 million or $8 million to the next two or three budgets before any savings result. He called S.B. 428 "a very poorly thought-out welfare reform bill." He voiced strong objection to Senator Rawson's proposal. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR COFFIN VOTED NO. SENATOR MATHEWS WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.) * * * * * Senator Rawson stated he felt A.B. 303 should be amended in similar fashion. ASSEMBLY BILL 303: Requires state board of education to adopt program to provide pupils with skills to make transition from school to work. SENATOR RAWSON MOVED TO OFFER A COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ON A.B. 303 WITH THE PROVISIONS OF S.B. 428. SENATOR O'DONNELL SECONDED THE MOTION. Senator Coffin stated: This is a good one here. This one's in the appropriations bill. The Governor's got it in the budget. You'll manage to upset the chambers of commerce, the business community, the Nevada Manufacturers' Association, and just about anybody that wants to educate the kids because they can't come out of the school districts worth a damn. So, you ought to do that, and it serves you right. I'll oppose this one too. Senator Raggio called for the vote. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR COFFIN VOTED NO. SENATOR MATHEWS WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.) * * * * * Senator Raggio commented: I agree with Senator Rawson on the bill that was passed by this Senate. It is not a budget buster. It adds $1.5 million, and over the period of some 6 years it's estimated to save tens of millions of dollars. The people in this country and in this state ... as one of their highest priorities, have been advocating welfare reform. And this Senate, and this committee, made a valiant effort to add to the Governor's program what has been, at least a majority of this Senate felt was appropriate and needed, welfare reform. And I agree that the manner in which that bill has been addressed in the Assembly for now several weeks, is most inappropriate, and has certainly been without the accommodation that is accorded to members of the Legislature. Senator Washington was treated in a very discourteous fashion. That has not been the situation in either house in my memory where a member who comes in to testify on a bill is not recognized as soon as is practical. I think this whole situation began when the membership in the other house decided that an effective way to prevent any passage or consideration of that bill was for members of the Democratic party to leave the room so that a vote could not occur which would result in even a tie so that the vote on that bill could go to the floor. That's where this all started, and I think there has to be some way that that measure sees the light of day in that session. And that is the reason that I will support these motions. The bills that we're amending them to are very meritorious and desirable pieces of legislation, and in my opinion will go to the Assembly and they can consider them. Senator O'Donnell stated: There is a lot of pressure to close down the session and to go home, but I am not willing to leave here without Senate Bill 428. I think it's too important of an issue to just play politics with, and I will be supporting my chairman here. Senator Coffin remarked: You know, you have always treated assemblymen courteously in this committee, as far as I can see, so there's probably some foundation for your feeling about that.... They tend, sometimes, to wait a little bit, but you generally don't make them wait until the end of the hearing. Senator Raggio responded during this session he has not experienced people frequently leaving the room so that a vote cannot take place during a hearing. He suggested the matter could go to the floor for a vote if the committee had not prevented action. Senator Raggio invited a decision regarding A.B. 228 heard on June 20. ASSEMBLY BILL 228: Makes appropriation to office of the governor for enhanced security system for governor's mansion. He indicated there are a number of issues which have not been addressed and need to be acted upon on what may be the last day of the session. He noted funding for the state climatologist needs to be placed into some measure. He asked for an explanation. Mr. Miles responded the appropriation for the state climatologist was included in the budget, but it was funded with "fictitious money." Senator Raggio pointed out the matter was brought to the attention of the Director of the Department of Administration who has acknowledged the need to make some provision for the state climatologist. The senator suggested the matter could be amended into A.B. 228. SENATOR O'DONNELL MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 228 WITH PROVISIONS TO APPROPRIATE FROM THE STATE GENERAL FUND FUNDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO EMPLOY THE SERVICES OF A STATE CLIMATOLOGIST. SENATOR JACOBSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. * * * * * The next matter to be considered was Amendment No. 1423 to A.B. 210. ASSEMBLY BILL 210: Makes various changes regarding preparation of governmental budgets. Mr. Miles explained the provisions of the amendment which will change the date on which the Budget Division will be required to supply the Fiscal Analysis Division with computerized budget files containing the agency requests, which make other technical changes, and which remove conflicts with other measures. He noted a section will be added to require agencies, including the judicial branch, to provide needed information on their budgets to the Fiscal Analysis Division within a specified time. Mr. Miles called attention to section 4 in A.B. 210 which provides that on or before December 15 the budget director shall provide a report on the adjusted base budget going into the next biennium, and a range of maintenance costs. Subsection 3 in section 4 provides that information provided to the Fiscal Analysis Division is open to public inspection, thus enabling the division to answer some of the questions that arise from legislators. John P. Comeaux, Director, Department of Administration, indicated he has no objections to the amendment, but stated for the record, "The Governor had requested that a sunset provision be put in this bill to ... make sure he has an opportunity in 2 years to look at the process again." Senator Raggio responded he has not heard that request, it has not been discussed in the committee, and it is not included in the bill. He opined it would be inappropriate to include a sunset provision in the bill, which has been altered from the original concept of a separate legislative budget office. He pointed out A.B. 210 codifies what has been the practice of the Budget Division, which has functioned well in the past. He declared a need for mutual trust for the process. SENATOR RHOADS MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 210 WITH AMENDMENT NO. 1423. SENATOR JACOBSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. * * * * * Senator Raggio declared he is prepared to meet with the leadership of the Assembly to discuss matters of disagreement before the floor session. If the Assembly leadership is willing to hear the matter under contention, he said, it may be appropriate for the Senate Committee on Finance to withdraw amendments added to certain bills earlier in the day. Senator Rawson offered to explain the changes to S.B. 214. He said: The original bill exempted the HMOs or managed care organizations that would be contracting for the Medicaid business. It excluded them from most of the regulations applying to HMOs, and that is basically [NRS] 695C.250 through [NRS] 695C.300. It exempted them from all of those sections. This amendment removes that line and it inserts three citations.... They would still be exempt from open enrollment, and this would be all determined on a contractual basis with the state.... It would exempt them from the complaint system. The Department of Human Resources will have its own quality assurance review on these. It would exempt them from requirements of arbitration of disputes. Senator Rawson stated the amendment restores the bond requirement so that the HMOs must demonstrate they have the ability to cover the health care of those for whom they are responsible should they go out of business. He added the requirement for licenses for agents or brokers will continue, and they can continue to contract with insurance companies. He stated authority will be given to the Division of Insurance to maintain control over the matter. SENATOR RAWSON MOVED TO CONCUR IN ASSEMBLY AMENDMENT 1352 TO S.B. 214. SENATOR O'DONNELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR COFFIN WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.) * * * * * Senator Raggio recessed the meeting, to be continued immediately following the floor session. Senator Raggio reconvened the meeting at 3:08 p.m. with a review of A.B. 170. ASSEMBLY BILL 170: Clarifies legislative intent concerning application of sales tax to food for immediate consumption. Michael A. Pitlock, Executive Director, Department of Taxation, stated the department has been in the process of changing regulations regarding the exemption of food from sales tax. He explained the aim is to ensure there is consistency in the way a product is taxed. In 1979 legislation was enacted which removed food products in vending machines from the exemption, which, he asserted, has been deemed confusing and unfair. Mr. Pitlock declared Assembly Concurrent Resolution (A.C.R.) 17 was designed to remove the food exemption, but he has since learned the exemption cannot be changed through a resolution. ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 17: Directs Department of Taxation to review and revise regulations governing collection of taxes on retail sales of food prepared for immediate consumption. As a result, he said, A.B. 170 was amended to change the legislative intent to provide that those items, such as soft drinks, will be taxed consistently. Mr. Pitlock acknowledged there will be some fiscal impact, although the department was not requested to provide a fiscal note. He estimates nearly $27 million worth of food is sold annually through the 515 vending machine accounts registered with the Department of Taxation, with may result in a loss of sale tax revenue of approximately $2 million per year. He noted the state's share will amount to $573,000 per year, while the remaining share belongs to local governments. Mr. Pitlock asserted the tax policy should be consistent, regardless of where a product is sold. While recognizing it may be difficult to reduce the budget by $2 million, he declared it is important to establish a policy whereby products are taxed consistently. As a result, he proposed the bill include an effective date of July 1, 1997, which is acceptable to the department and which should make the legislative intent clear. He pointed out that will provide 2 years for the budget to absorb the reduction in revenue. Senator Raggio agreed there is some concern with the change since it will affect school districts as well. Bob Barengo, Lobbyist, Amusement and Vending Operators of Nevada, noted he participated in discussions on A.C.R. 17, and he offered support for A.B. 170. He reiterated $2 million is the total distributed among the state and all local entities. He reported Mary Santina, Lobbyist for the Nevada Retail Association, planned to speak in favor of the bill but was unable to appear. Senator Raggio asked if the amendment to move back the effective date to July 1, 1997, would be acceptable. Mr. Barengo assured him it would be acceptable. SENATOR O'DONNELL MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 170 BY CHANGING THE EFFECTIVE DATE TO JULY 1, 1997. SENATOR JACOBSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR COFFIN ABSTAINED FROM THE VOTE.) * * * * * The next measure to be discussed was A.B. 388. ASSEMBLY BILL 388: Revises provisions regarding governor's advisory council on education relating to the Holocaust. Assemblyman Larry L. Spitler, Clark County Assembly District No. 41, and Assemblywoman Christina R. Giunchigliani, Clark County Assembly District No. 9, came forward to offer support for A.B. 388. According to Ms. Giunchigliani, A.B. 388 will allocate $60,000 to the sitting council originally established in 1991, which was not funded during the last session due to budget constraints. She explained the unpaid council puts in many hours of volunteer time, and the funding will be used for programs, guest lecturers, writing curriculum, and teacher training, and it will be used state-wide. Ms. Giunchigliani stated one of the amendments to the original bill requires a report to the Legislature on use of the allocation. She provided several letters in support of A.B. 388 (Exhibit C). Mr. Spitler pointed out none of the funding will be used for overhead expenditures; it all will go directly to the grants and programs. He said office space and a message center is donated through the Sperling/Kronberg Library and Resource Center at the Jewish Federation in Las Vegas. In response to a query by Senator Raggio, Ms. Giunchigliani responded the funding was not included in the budget, and she noted $30,000 was allocated to the council in 1991 to fund a major conference. Senator Raggio inquired if a request was made to the Governor to include the appropriation in the budget. Mr. Comeaux responded it was, but he was unable to explain why it was not included in the budget. In the absence of further testimony, Senator Raggio closed the hearing on A.B. 388. At the request of the president of the senate, Senator Raggio appointed Senators Rawson, Jacobsen and Mathews to participate in a conference committee on S.B. 526. SENATE BILL 526: Revises duties and unauthorized activities of director of office of science, engineering and technology. Senator Rawson remarked he carefully reviewed the amendment proposed by the Assembly, which he feels is correct and reasonable. Senator Raggio opened the hearing on A.B. 487. ASSEMBLY BILL 487: Requires chief of purchasing division of department of administration to establish supplemental food program. Assemblyman Joseph E. Dini, Jr., Assembly District No. 38, stated A.B. 487 will allow the chief of the Purchasing Division to purchase $200,000 in additional food to be provided to food banks, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters for distribution throughout the state. He declared the program is very successful, and with the possibility of reduced federal funds, the appropriation will help the state. Mark Stevens, Fiscal Analyst, Legislative Counsel Bureau, stated the administrator of the Purchasing Division will deposit the funds to the commodities account. He noted the statutes also provide that the administrator may accept gifts and grants to augment the account. Mr. Dini confirmed Senator Raggio's conjecture that the chief of the Purchasing Division will have the authority to determine where the funds are to be distributed, with the intent such funds be used statewide. Mr. Dini indicated the appropriation is outside the budget. Mr. Comeaux confirmed no request had been made to include the appropriation in the budget. Mr. Dini and Senator Jacobsen related incidents regarding distribution of food in their respective districts, which both endorsed. Senator Raggio suggested a letter of intent should be included with the measure to indicate the funding should be utilized on a statewide basis. SENATOR JACOBSEN MOVED TO DO PASS A.B. 487 AND TO INCLUDE A LETTER OF INTENT THAT THE FUNDING SHALL BE USED FOR STATEWIDE DISTRIBUTION. SENATOR MATHEWS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR O'DONNELL WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.) * * * * * The next bill brought up for discussion by Senator Raggio was A.B. 740. ASSEMBLY BILL 740: Increases number of deputy administrators in division of child and family services of department of human resources. Mr. Miles noted when the budget for the Division of Child and Family Services was closed, a third deputy for correctional concerns was included for the unclassified service. A.B. 740 will change the statute to provide three deputies rather than two. SENATOR COFFIN MOVED TO DO PASS A.B. 740. SENATOR O'DONNELL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR RAWSON WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.) * * * * * Senator Raggio asked the committee to review Amendment No. 1525 for A.B. 228 upon which action was taken earlier in the day. The committee approved the wording. Senator Raggio then turned to a discussion of A.B. 736. ASSEMBLY BILL 736: Establishes maximum allowed salaries for employees in unclassified service of state. He noted some positions were not addressed when the bill was first discussed by the committee which should be considered. Senator Rawson stated salaries for five positions should be reconsidered, the first being the program specialist listed on line 16, page 5. He said the salary should be changed to $38,691. The next changes should be made for the administrator of state parks listed on line 46, page 4, raised to $65,195, and for the administrator of state lands on the next line to be raised to $60,240. He said the next change will raise the salary for the wildlife administrator to $66,407, listed on page 5, line 5, and the last change should occur on line 6, page 5, to raise the salary of the deputy administrator to $62,997. Senator Raggio asked if the changes have the approval of department and division directors. Senator Rawson replied they do. Mr. Comeaux concurred in the revisions. Senator Raggio pointed out the bill contains a provision that the chief of staff in the Governor's office will receive a salary of $80,950 as originally requested by the Governor. He noted that, along with other salaries, represents a substantial increase, and he wanted to be sure those are being made in accordance with requests from the Governor. Senator Rawson commented the unclassified salary increases appear to be in line with other salary increases. Senator Jacobsen inquired if a percentage was used as the basis for the increases. Senator Raggio voiced the understanding the requests generally fall within the 4 percent and 3 percent increases granted to classified employees. Mr. Miles interjected the figures printed in the bill fall within the 4 percent salary increase range for the majority of the positions. He pointed out the additional 1 percent is addressed in section 3 on page 10 of the bill. Senator Coffin called attention to two disparities, which he said relate to traditional parity within the budget. In the first, he said, the Public Service Commission of Nevada (PSC) chairman will receive a salary of $78,000, as set forth on page 8, which in the past has been comparable to the salary of the consumer's advocate. He noted the consumer's advocate will receive a salary of $71,760, as set forth on page 3. Senator Rawson recalled there was a special adjustment to the salary for the PSC chairman. Senator Raggio indicated the present salary for the PSC chairman is $69,997, which will have an increase of 11.4 percent, and the other public service commissioners will receive increases of 12 percent, and they will receive the benefit of the 1 percent increase cited in section 3. The consumer's advocate currently receives a salary of $69,000, he said, and will receive the regular increase of 4 percent, plus the additional 1 percent set forth in the bill. Senator Coffin offered the opinion those represent an oversight, since the positions for the PSC chairman and the consumer's advocate are traditionally placed on an equal footing with similar salaries. Senator Raggio responded that was not recommended by the Governor. Senator Coffin suggested it is in the interest of the public to keep the two positions on an equal footing. Another salary which should be increased, according to Senator Coffin, is that of the public defender. Senator Raggio noted the present salary is $67,993 and will be increased by 8 percent as set forth on page 8, line 2, plus an additional 1 percent as stated in section 3. Senator Coffin agreed with the committee's recommendation for the public defender, but reiterated his objection to the salary being recommended for the consumer's advocate. SENATOR O'DONNELL MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 736 WITH THE CHANGES CITED FOR THE STATE PARKS ADMINISTRATOR AT $65,195, THE STATE LANDS ADMINISTRATOR AT $60,245, THE WILDLIFE ADMINISTRATOR AT $66,407, THE DEPUTY WILDLIFE ADMINISTRATOR AT $62,997, AND THE COMMISSION ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPECIALISTS AT $38,691 EACH. SENATOR RAWSON SECONDED THE MOTION. Senator Coffin repeated his proposal to increase the salary of the consumer's advocate, but no others concurred. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR COFFIN VOTED NO.) * * * * * The next measure for consideration was A.B. 738. ASSEMBLY BILL 738: Authorizes and provides funding for certain projects of capital improvement. Senator Raggio recalled the only unresolved item in the bill concerns the proposal for the legislative building addressed in section 19. He remembered during the last discussion three members of the committee were inclined to support the appropriation of $16,029,200 for the addition, while three were opposed. Upon taking a survey of those now in favor, he noted there now appear to be five members in support. Senator Raggio stated he would like a letter of intent that any plans for the legislative building addition and remodeling be approved by a joint building committee with equal voting from members of the Senate and Assembly. Senator Mathews declared she would like to vote for A.B. 738 to go out of committee due to several provisions contained in the measure, but she does not believe a new legislative building is needed. Senator O'Donnell interjected most members do not want to spend the funds for the addition to the legislative building, but most feel the addition is a necessity. When asked which members would like to delete section 19 from the bill, Senators Coffin and Mathews indicated they would. The remainder of the committee members indicated a desire to retain the provision. Senator Raggio reiterated that the record reflect that Senator Coffin and Senator Mathews would vote to remove section 19 for the legislative building addition and remodeling. SENATOR JACOBSEN MOVED TO DO PASS A.B. 738 TOGETHER WITH THE INDICATED LETTER OF INTENT. SENATOR RHOADS SECONDED THE MOTION. Senator Mathews indicated her decision to vote in favor of the measure in order to support other projects included in the bill, although she remains opposed to the expenditure for the legislative building project. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR COFFIN VOTED NO.) * * * * * Senator Raggio reminded the committee that it is presumed any member who votes in favor of a bill or amendment in committee will also vote in favor of the measure on the floor unless that member advises the chairman prior to any vote being taken on the floor. Senator Raggio opened A.B. 80 for discussion and possible action. ASSEMBLY BILL 80: Revises provisions governing certain grants of financial assistance made by commission for cultural affairs. Senator Raggio explained the bill provides for bonds which may be granted, not to exceed $2 million per year. Senator Jacobsen voiced approval of the measure in order to complete several projects in progress around the state. Senator Coffin added his support. SENATOR JACOBSEN MOVED TO DO PASS A.B. 80. SENATOR COFFIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. * * * * * The next bill for review was A.B. 116. ASSEMBLY BILL 116: Repeals prospective expiration of statute creating Nevada commission for women. Senator Raggio indicated the bill repeals the sunset clause which is scheduled to go into effect today, and it will renew funding for the Nevada Commission for Women. SENATOR MATHEWS MOVED TO DO PASS A.B. 116. SENATOR COFFIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. * * * * * Senator Raggio presented A.B. 225 for consideration, last heard on June 20. ASSEMBLY BILL 225: Makes appropriation to department of education for development and implementation of computer system for licensing of teachers and other educational personnel. Mr. Miles stated the budget included an appropriation of $150,000, but the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means increased the amount to $242,000 based upon actual projected costs. SENATOR RAWSON MOVED TO DO PASS A.B. 225. SENATOR MATHEWS SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. * * * * * Senator Raggio recessed the meeting at 4:07 p.m., subject to the call of the chair. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: Judy Jacobs, Committee Secretary APPROVED BY: Senator William J. Raggio, Chairman DATE: Senate Committee on Finance July 1, 1995 Page