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AB 115 would permit expanded use of state buildings for events; agencies say building meets minimum accessibility
Summary
A bill allowing state buildings, including the Capitol, to be used for events was presented; the sponsor and Buildings and Grounds staff said the building is historic, meets minimum ADA access for public tours and the fiscal note shows event labor costs would be offset by revenue.
Assemblymember Venise Karas presented Assembly Bill 115, which would authorize certain state buildings to be used for events and functions. Karas said Treasury and State Public Works Division reviews returned no net fiscal impact; the Governor's Office of Finance reviewed the bill and found the fiscal assumptions reasonable.
Members raised ADA and liability concerns regarding the Capitol's historic stairs and single elevator. Kent Choma, deputy administrator for Buildings and Grounds, said the Capitol is an old, historic building but is open to the public and meets minimum ADA accessibility for tours; he said the fiscal note in the bill accounts for labor costs to support events and that those costs would be offset by event income.
Assembly members asked whether event organizers or state agencies would be charged; the sponsor said the bill is not intended to require governmental users to pay fees to use their own building but rather to create a framework for events generally. The committee asked legislative counsel to follow up on potential unintended consequences regarding fees and agency use.
Supporters including the Vegas Chamber testified in favor from a policy and fiscal perspective. The committee closed the hearing after questions and no recorded opposition testimony was taken.
