Assembly committee amends and advances five measures in work session

The Assembly Committee on Government Affairs met in Carson City for a work session and amended and advanced five measures previously heard by the committee. The committee took formal action on Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 and four bills, assigning floor statements and forwarding the measures to the next stage of the legislative process.

SCR 2: The committee amended and moved to do pass Senate Concurrent Resolution 2, which recognizes the Fruit Loop as a historical LGBTQ+ landmark in Clark County, urges Nevada Department of Transportation to install directional signs to the Fruit Loop location in Las Vegas, and encourages the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Division of Tourism to produce materials documenting its cultural and historical significance. Several members voiced concern that the term “Fruit Loop” could be perceived as a slur and that such recognitions might be handled at the local level; Assemblymembers DeLong, Kasama and Gurr recorded nay positions during the roll call for the motion to amend and do pass. Vice Chair Wynne made the motion; Assemblymember Carter seconded. The motion carried.

AB 188: The committee amended and moved to do pass Assembly Bill 188, which makes multiple changes to the Public Employees' Benefits Program (PEBB). Among other provisions, AB 188 (as amended) clarifies eligibility for health and welfare subsidies for persons hired on or after Jan. 1, 2012; requires PEBB to report typical full costs for actuarially comparable retiree health insurance to the governor and legislature; limits certain board actions regarding health reimbursement arrangements; and revises reinstatement rules for retiree insurance coverage. Assemblymember Carter moved the measure; Vice Chair Wynne seconded. Assemblymembers DeLong, Gurr, Kasama, Gallant and Edgeworth recorded nay positions on the motion; the committee carried the motion forward and assigned a floor statement.

SB 15: The committee amended and moved to do pass Senate Bill 15, which revises several government administration provisions. Key changes include removing a statutory requirement that debt management commissions hold their annual meeting in August; revising timing language in notices of delinquent taxes and in procedures for property reconveyance and quick-claim deeds so that actions may occur up to the close of business rather than a specific 5:00 p.m. time; and clarifying county treasurer office hours so offices may not close earlier than 5:00 p.m. and may close later. Assemblymember Hunt moved the measure and Assemblymember DeLong seconded; the motion passed without recorded opposition in committee and a floor statement was assigned.

SB 27: The committee amended and moved to do pass Senate Bill 27, which revises names of two museums within the Division of Museums and History, and adjusts board powers and duties so that the division administrator, rather than the board alone, will have authority regarding certain programs and policies. The committee adopted an amendment to clarify how museum fees and policies are established. Vice Chair Wynne moved the measure; Assemblymember Carter seconded. Assemblymember Kasama indicated support in committee but reserved objections for the floor regarding certain fees; the committee motion passed and a floor statement was assigned.

SB 358: The committee amended and moved to do pass Senate Bill 358, which requires certain units of state and local government to accept a range of electronic and card-based forms of payment from business entities for fees, taxes and other debts. The Vegas Chamber and Clark County proposed an amendment clarifying that the list of acceptable payment forms is illustrative and not necessarily exclusive. Assemblymember Flanagan moved the measure; Assemblymember Karas seconded. The motion passed and a floor statement was assigned.

All measures discussed in the work session were described on the record by the committee’s nonpartisan policy analyst and had been previously heard by the committee on dates noted in the hearing record. Floor statements were assigned to committee members to present the committee’s work in the next chamber stage. No final chamber enactment occurs in committee; the motions forwarded the measures for further consideration.

Votes at a glance (committee actions recorded in the transcript): • SCR 2 — Motion to amend and do pass; mover: Vice Chair Wynne; second: Assemblymember Carter; named nays: Assemblymembers DeLong, Kasama, Gurr; outcome: motion carried and floor statement assigned. • AB 188 — Motion to amend and do pass; mover: Assemblymember Carter; second: Vice Chair Wynne; named nays: Assemblymembers DeLong, Gurr, Kasama, Gallant, Edgeworth; outcome: motion carried and floor statement assigned. • SB 15 — Motion to amend and do pass; mover: Assemblymember Hunt; second: Assemblymember DeLong; outcome: motion carried; floor statement assigned. • SB 27 — Motion to amend and do pass; mover: Vice Chair Wynne; second: Assemblymember Carter; outcome: motion carried; floor statement assigned (Assemblymember DeLong to deliver floor statement). • SB 358 — Motion to amend and do pass; mover: Assemblymember Flanagan; second: Assemblymember Karas; outcome: motion carried; floor statement assigned.

The committee proceeded after the work session to hearings on additional bills, including SB 285 (apprenticeships), SB 319 (study on regional fire protection), and SB 340 (governmental administration/regulatory review). Those hearings featured presentations, supporter testimony and some opposition; each hearing record is summarized in separate committee hearing coverage.