Senate Bill No. 293-Committee on Natural Resources
April 16, 1997
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Referred to Committee on Natural Resources
SUMMARY--Requires appointment of person to manage activities of division of agriculture of department of business and industry pertaining to natural resources, land use planning and management and control of wild horses and estrays. (BDR 50-1454)
FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No.
Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: Yes.
EXPLANATION - Matter in italics is new; matter in brackets [ ] is material to be omitted.
AN ACT relating to the division of agriculture of the department of business and industry; requiring the administrator of the division to appoint a person to manage the activities of the division pertaining to natural resources, land use planning and the management and control of wild horses and estrays; providing that the person appointed is in the unclassified service; providing his duties; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1 Chapter 561 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a new section to read as follows:
1. The administrator shall appoint a person to manage the activities of the division pertaining to natural resources, land use planning and the management and control of wild horses and estrays. The person must be appointed on the basis of merit and is in the unclassified service. The administrator may remove the person from office with the approval of the board.
2. The person appointed shall:
(a) Establish and carry out a policy for the management and control of estrays and the preservation and allocation of natural resources necessary to advance and protect the livestock and agricultural industries in this state.
(b) Develop cooperative agreements and working relationships with federal and state agencies and local governments for land use planning and the preservation and allocation of natural resources necessary to advance and protect the livestock and agricultural industries in this state.
(c) Cooperate with private organizations and governmental agencies to develop procedures and policies for the management and control of wild horses.
(d) Monitor gatherings of estrays conducted pursuant to the provisions of NRS 569.040 to 569.130, inclusive, and assist district brand inspectors in identifying estrays before they are sold or given a placement or other disposition through a cooperative agreement established pursuant to NRS 569.031.
(e) Provide the general public with information relating to the activities of the division and solicit recommendations from the general public and advisory groups concerning those activities.
(f) Make assessments of the level of competition between livestock and wildlife for food and water, collect data concerning the movement of livestock and perform activities necessary to control noxious weeds.
(g) Participate in land use planning relating to the competition for food and water between livestock and wildlife to ensure the maintenance of the habitat of both livestock and wildlife.
(h) Present testimony, conduct research and prepare reports for the governor, the legislature, the administrator and any other person or governmental entity as directed by the administrator.
(i) Develop and carry out a program to educate the public concerning the various programs administered by the division, including programs for the management and control of estrays.
(j) Make proposals to the administrator for the amendment of the regulations adopted by the board pursuant to NRS 561.105.
(k) Perform such other duties as directed by the administrator.
3. As used in this section:
(a) "Estray" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 569.005.
(b) "Wild horse" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 504.430.
Sec. 2. This act becomes effective on July 1, 1997.