THE THIRTY-EIGHTH DAY
Carson City (Wednesday), March 14, 2001
Senate called to order at 11:11 a.m.
President pro Tempore Jacobsen presiding.
Roll called.
All present except Senator Rawson, who was excused.
Prayer by the Chaplain, Dr. Ken Haskins.
Our loving Father, for centuries America’s leaders have sought Your guidance, and You have blessed this great nation like none other. We, too, seek Your guidance. Make Your way extremely clear to us and bless our efforts. We humbly pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Pledge of allegiance to the Flag.
Senator Raggio moved that further reading of the Journal be dispensed with, and the President and Secretary be authorized to make the necessary corrections and additions.
Motion carried.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Mr. President pro Tempore:
Your Committee on Transportation, to which were referred Senate Bills Nos. 190, 260, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Do pass.
William R. O'Donnell, Chairman
MESSAGES FROM THE ASSEMBLY
Assembly Chamber, Carson City, March 13, 2001
To the Honorable the Senate:
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 11.
Patricia R. Williams
Assistant Chief Clerk of the Assembly
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
Motion carried.
Senate in recess at 11:14 a.m.
SENATE IN SESSION
At 11:15 a.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Quorum present.
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES
By Senators Porter, Amodei, Care, Carlton, Coffin, Jacobsen, James, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, O'Connell, O'Donnell, Raggio, Rawson, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Titus, Townsend, Washington, Wiener; Assemblymen Brown, Anderson, Angle, Arberry, Bache, Beers, Berman, Brower, Buckley, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Claborn, Collins, de Braga, Dini, Freeman, Gibbons, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Hettrick, Humke, Koivisto, Lee, Leslie, Manendo, Marvel, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Oceguera, Ohrenschall, Parks, Parnell, Perkins, Price, Smith, Tiffany, Von Tobel and Williams:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 20—Recognizing the 70th anniversary of Boulder City.
Whereas, In 1928, as part of the Boulder Canyon Project Act, Congress authorized the construction of a dam in Black Canyon, between Nevada and Arizona, to tame the raging Colorado River; and
Whereas, The dam was named “Hoover Dam” in honor of President Herbert Hoover and had many purposes, including the storage of water, control of floods and generation of hydroelectric power; and
Whereas, Hoover Dam would later be selected by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the “Seven Modern Engineering Wonders of the United States”; and
Whereas, To accomplish the construction of this major project, the Bureau of Reclamation would create what was to be a temporary city in the barren desert to accommodate the multitude of workers needed to build the dam; and
Whereas, Hoover Dam was built during the Great Depression and jobs were scarce, with unemployment as high as 80 percent in some parts of the country; and
Whereas, With no guarantee of food, shelter or work, thousands of jobless people packed up their families and flocked to the area, now known as “Boulder City,” where jobs were plentiful and housing was provided, looking for the American dream; and
Whereas, Because the city planners had not expected the workers to bring their families with them, they had not prepared for the influx of women and children and had not provided for schools or churches; and
Whereas, With true pioneer spirit, the people of Boulder City picked up where the city planners had left off, starting schools using chairs and desks donated by the people in the community and buying books with money from their own pockets; and
Whereas, Churches were built, businesses were started, and social and spiritual ties were formed; and
Whereas, At the height of the dam construction, Boulder City had the largest population in the State of Nevada, with approximately 7,000 people; and
Whereas, Some roads in the area were being graded using mules and others using state-of-the-art equipment, showing the transition of the country towards mechanized and technological development; and
Whereas, After the completion of Hoover Dam in 1935, with the dedication of the dam by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the future of Boulder City was uncertain, with some considering tearing down the houses and abandoning the city; and
Whereas, The residents who had raised their families and built a thriving community in Boulder City were determined to stay in what had become known as “the city that built Hoover Dam” and successfully fought to become independent of rule by the Bureau of Reclamation; and
Whereas, The city that started out as a temporary one has flourished and is ideally situated close to Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Hoover Dam and Las Vegas; and
Whereas, Listed on the “National Register of Historic Places,” Boulder City is home to the stately Boulder Dam Hotel which has housed presidents and movie stars; and
Whereas, Boulder City, once a desert, now provides an oasis of grass and trees and many recreational opportunities, including a golf course, a swimming pool, a racquetball complex, tennis courts, athletic fields, parks and a BMX bicycle track; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly Concurring, That the Nevada Legislature hereby declares the week of March 11 through March 17, 2001, as “Boulder City Days” in recognition of the 70th anniversary of its founding; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature invites all Nevadans to join in the celebration of that anniversary; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to Robert Ferraro, the Mayor of Boulder City.
Senator Porter moved the adoption of the resolution.
Remarks by Senator Porter.
Senator Porter requested that his remarks be entered in the Journal.
Boulder City is known as “the fountainhead of life,” a phrase given to us by a gentleman in Boulder City named Elton Garrett who was a big part of our community for many years. What he meant by those words was that we have a community of individuals who are volunteers and who are proud of their heritage.
Boulder City is proud to be one of the first communities in the State of Nevada.
Resolution adopted.
Senator Porter moved that all rules be suspended and that Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 20 be immediately transmitted to the Assembly.
Motion carried unanimously.
Senator Porter moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
Motion carried.
Senate in recess at 11:19 a.m.
SENATE IN SESSION
At 11:22 a.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Quorum present.
Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 11.
Senator Raggio moved the adoption of the resolution.
Remarks by Senator Raggio.
Senator Raggio requested that his remarks be entered in the Journal.
This is the usual resolution drafted and adopted each session which provides recognition of the service of Legislative employees who work during the session. Traditionally, we have recognized their work. The resolution authorizes six days of administrative leave at the end of session for all of these employees.
I do not need to tell this veteran group of Legislators about the time and dedication these individuals give in serving us during session. This is one way the Legislature can recognize their services.
Resolution adopted.
Resolution ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
By Senator Porter and Assemblyman Brown:
Senate Joint Resolution No. 8—Urging the CANAMEX Corridor Coalition and the Federal Highway Administration to consider alternative routes for a certain segment of the CANAMEX Trade Corridor.
Senator Porter moved that the resolution be referred to the Committee on Transportation.
Motion carried.
INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING AND REFERENCE
By Senator Mathews:
Senate Bill No. 338—AN ACT relating to health care; requiring certain hospitals that are designated as centers for the treatment of trauma to charge the billed charges of the hospital for the trauma services provided by the hospital; prohibiting a hospital from indemnifying or providing other relief from the payment of those charges; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Mathews moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Judiciary:
Senate Bill No. 339—AN ACT relating to education records; providing for the release of education records to certain persons under certain circumstances; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator James moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Motion carried.
By Senator Jacobsen:
Senate Bill No. 340—AN ACT relating to public lands; providing a civil remedy and a criminal penalty for certain acts; authorizing a board of county commissioners to adopt certain ordinances relating to public lands located within the county; authorizing a district attorney to initiate or defend an action relating to public lands under certain circumstances; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Jacobsen moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Taxation:
Senate Bill No. 341—AN ACT relating to long-term care; requiring the Aging Services Division of the Department of Human Resources to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of establishing a program for assisted living for low-income persons who are eligible for Medicaid; making an appropriation; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator McGinness moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Taxation:
Senate Bill No. 342—AN ACT relating to health care; requiring the aging services division of the department of human resources to establish a pilot program to provide support services for persons who provide care for certain persons with brain damage; authorizing the division to contract for the provision of services required to carry out the pilot program; making an appropriation; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator McGinness moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Taxation:
Senate Bill No. 343—AN ACT relating to public employees; requiring the board of the public employees’ benefits program to provide long-term care coverage for state employees and retirees; making appropriations; requiring an assessment of certain state agencies for transfer to the board of the public employees’ benefits program to contribute towards that coverage; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator McGinness moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
By Senator Shaffer:
Senate Bill No. 344—AN ACT relating to underground water; authorizing certain persons to accumulate a credit toward the cost of connecting to a water supply provided by certain entities; requiring the state engineer to adopt certain regulations relating to such a credit; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Shaffer moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
Motion carried.
By Senator Shaffer:
Senate Bill No. 345—AN ACT relating to mobile home parks; limiting the fees that certain entities that provide water service to a mobile home park may charge for connecting to the water service; providing a penalty; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Shaffer moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.
Motion carried.
By Senators James, Amodei, Care, Carlton, Jacobsen, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, O'Donnell, Porter, Schneider, Titus, Washington, Wiener and Assemblywoman Cegavske:
Senate Bill No. 346—AN ACT relating to the department of education; creating a position of coordinator of requests for grants of money in the department of education; requiring the superintendent of public instruction to appoint the coordinator; prescribing the duties of the coordinator; making an appropriation to the department for the position; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator James moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
By Senators Titus, James and O'Donnell:
Senate Bill No. 347—AN ACT relating to state emblems; designating a state tartan; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Titus moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Government Affairs.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Finance:
Senate Bill No. 348—AN ACT making an appropriation to the Northern Area Substance Abuse Council for expansion of and upgrades to its facilities; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Raggio moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
By the Committee on Finance:
Senate Bill No. 349—AN ACT relating to the public employees’ retirement system; decreasing the number of years of service required for vesting; revising the formula for calculating retirement allowances; providing for benefits for a survivor beneficiary in certain circumstances; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Raggio moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
By Senator Jacobsen:
Senate Bill No. 350—AN ACT relating to counties; increasing the membership of the county fair and recreation board in certain counties; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Jacobsen moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Government Affairs.
Motion carried.
By Senator O'Donnell:
Senate Bill No. 351—AN ACT relating to taxation; exempting classic aircraft from the tax on personal property; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator O'Donnell moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Taxation.
Motion carried.
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES
Senator Raggio moved that Senate Bill No. 237 be taken from the Consent Calendar and placed on the Consent Calendar for the next legislative day.
Remarks by Senator Raggio.
Motion carried.
Senator Raggio moved that Assembly Bills Nos. 32, 153, be taken from the General File and placed on the General File for the next legislative day.
Remarks by Senator Raggio.
Motion carried.
SECOND READING AND AMENDMENT
Senate Bill No. 161.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
Senate Bill No. 239.
Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.
GUESTS EXTENDED PRIVILEGE OF SENATE FLOOR
On request of Senator Amodei, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Kathy Loomis.
On request of Senator Care, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Laurie Care.
On request of Senator Carlton, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Robin Camacho, Brian McAnallen, Dr. Elizabeth Fildes, Jeanne Palmer, Brooke Wong, Larry Matheis, Maureen Brower, Kevin Quint, Helen Foley, Sandie Barrie, Barbara Balling and Denise Brodsky.
On request of Senator O'Donnell, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Diane Lee Hart.
On request of Senator Porter, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Mayor Robert Ferraro.
On request of Senator Titus, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Anthony Spotts.
On request of Senator Wiener, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Larry Ashley.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate adjourn until Thursday, March 15, 2001 at 11 a.m.
Motion carried.
Senate adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
Approved:Lorraine T. Hunt
President of the Senate
Attest: Claire J. Clift
Secretary of the Senate