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Senate Judiciary adopts committee rules unanimously; LCB outlines heavy caseload
Summary
The Nevada Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Melanie Scheibel, voted unanimously to adopt committee rules and heard an overview from Legislative Counsel Bureau staff outlining the committee's jurisdiction and expected workload for the 80th legislative session.
The Nevada Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Melanie Scheibel, voted unanimously to adopt its committee rules and received a committee brief from Legislative Counsel Bureau staff at its first meeting of the 80th legislative session.
The rules set procedures for the committee's daily operations, including a quorum of five members, regular start time at 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, expectations that presenters be prepared, and guidance on amendments. "I expect presenters to be prepared to answer those questions in a professional and accurate manner," Scheibel told the committee during the meeting.
The committee brief, delivered by Jared McDonald of the LCB research division, described Judiciary as the Senate's busiest policy committee. McDonald said the committee is typically referred between 130 and 190 bills per session and meets about 90 times; last session it was referred 135 bills, 101 were voted out of committee and 95 went to the governor's office. The brief listed the committee's jurisdictional areas, including issues tied to the Nevada Administrative Procedure Act, probate, family law, gaming regulation, adoption and juvenile justice.
Committee staff and support personnel introduced themselves during the meeting. Chair Scheibel listed committee roles and staff contacts, and the committee manager, Beth Rikers, was identified as the person to contact for exhibits and bills. Scheibel also noted meeting materials and agendas will be posted to the committee webpage and to NELIS, and offered an email for questions: senjud@sen.state.nv.us.
Members reviewed several committee rules during the hearing, including a requirement that sponsors be consulted before amendments are offered and a preference not to hear "unfriendly" amendments without the sponsor's consent. The chair said she will generally call senators who raise their hands in turn and will allow follow-up questions when time permits, but she also warned the committee must balance debate with the need to consider a large number of bills.
Senator Rochelle Winn moved to adopt the committee rules; Senator Lang seconded the motion. The committee recorded the motion as passed unanimously.
The committee scheduled to reconvene at 1 p.m. the following day.
