MINUTES OF THE

SENATE Committee on Natural Resources

 

Seventy-second Session

March 5, 2003

 

 

The Senate Committee on Natural Resources was called to order by Chairman Dean A. Rhoads, at 1:30 p.m., on Wednesday, March 5, 2003, in Room 2144 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster. All exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Senator Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman

Senator Mike McGinness, Vice Chairman

Senator Raymond C. Shaffer

Senator Mark Amodei

Senator Bob Coffin

Senator Michael Schneider

Senator Maggie Carlton

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Fred Welden, Committee Policy Analyst

Gina Rasner, Committee Secretary

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

Anthony Bandiero, Lobbyist

Don Henderson, Acting Director, State Department of Agriculture

Robert Gronowski, Administrator, Plant Industry Division, State Department of Agriculture

Pamela B. Wilcox, Acting Administrator, Division of Conservation Districts, State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

 

Chairman Rhoads opened the work session on Senate Bill (S.B.) 18, S.B. 46, S.B. 72, S.B. 135, and S.B.172.

 

SENATE BILL 18:  Requires Department of Motor Vehicles to establish by regulation procedures for inspecting certain stations involved in control of emissions from engines. (BDR 40-177)

 

Anthony Bandiero, Lobbyist, testified on behalf of Nevada Emissions Testers Council in support of S.B. 18.  The emissions test program would be subject to the provisions of chapter 233B of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) in adopting the regulations required through this bill.

 

Senator Schaffer announced, for the record, that he is an owner of a smog station.

 

SENATOR SCHNEIDER MOVED TO DO PASS.

 

SENATOR COFFIN SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

*****

 

SENATE BILL 46: Authorizes issuance of general obligation bonds to carry out Environmental Improvement Program in Lake Tahoe Basin. (BDR S-174)

 

SENATOR MCGINNESS MOVED TO DO PASS.

 

SENATOR SCHNEIDER SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

*****

 

SENATE BILL 72: Authorizes State Forester Firewarden of Division of Forestry of State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to determine amount of wages paid to certain offenders in conservation camps. (BDR 16-1005)

 

SENATOR COFFIN MOVED TO DO PASS.

 

SENATOR MCGINNESS SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

*****

 

SENATE BILL 135: Revises provisions governing killing or possessing of certain animals and penalty for violating those provisions. (BDR 45-711)

 

Fred Welden, Committee Policy Analyst, reminded the committee there was a proposed amendment to delete the term and definition of trophy animal from S.B. 135.

 

SENATOR SCHNEIDER MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS.

 

SENATOR SCHAFFER SECONDED THE MOTION.  

 

THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

*****

 

Chairman Rhoads opened the hearing on S.B. 172.

 

SENATE BILL 172: Makes various changes concerning control of pests and plant diseases. (BDR 49-571)

 

Don Henderson, Acting Director, State Department of Agriculture, said S.B. 172 was intended to clarify or provide definitions to existing State statutes, or offer some modifications to existing statutes to simplify or streamline department programs. Senate Bill 172 amends chapter 555 of the NRS. Mr. Henderson said it was a State requirement that a pest control business must have a person in a supervisory position, registered and authorized to oversee the usage of pest control chemicals. If a pest control business fails to have a registered supervisory person, that business would automatically lose its license to operate.

 

Senator McGinness asked if a typical pest control business lost their supervisory person, would they not be able to open until the person was replaced.

 

Robert Gronowski, Administrator, Plant Industry Division, State Department of Agriculture, said a pest control business which lost its registered person had 30 days to replace that person without closing the business. If they did not comply within 30 days, they would be penalized.

 

Senator McGinness asked if S.B. 172 would apply to garden clubs and girls and boys selling nursery stock thru 4-H. Mr. Gronowski replied nonprofit organizations would fall within the exemption. The organizations would have to apply for a permit in order to receive nursery stock. By applying for a permit, that information is used to notify the State Department of Agriculture where the location of nursery stock is being sold, which allows an inspection for diseases and pests.

 

Senator Schaffer asked where the fine fees went. Mr. Henderson said those fines go into the General Fund.

 

Senator Carlton said she had concerns about the licensing fee being set by regulation. She said the agency would not be held accountable to the legislature. Every year, by regulation, fees can consistently increase. Senator Carlton said she would prefer to put a cap on the amount. If the State Department of Agriculture needs to increase the limitation on fees, it would have to do so through legislation. Don Henderson replied he would not be opposed to determine a capped amount. Currently the licensing fee is $130. The fee can only change by amended regulation. It would require a hearing.

 

Pamela B. Wilcox, Acting Administrator, Division of Conservation Districts, State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said she was concerned about the impact S.B. 172 would have on conservation districts which sell plant materials for conservation purposes.

 

There being no further business, Chairman Rhoads adjourned the meeting at 2:07 p.m.

 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

                                                           

Gina Rasner,

Committee Secretary

 

 

APPROVED BY:

 

 

 

                                                                                         

Senator Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman

 

 

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