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Nevada AG proposes expanding membership of statewide substance use response working group
Summary
Attorney General Aaron Ford presented Assembly Bill 19 to add representatives — including emergency responders, child welfare and indigent defense — to the statewide substance use response working group (SURGE). The committee heard questions about the group's role, meeting cadence and limits on its authority over opioid settlement funds.
Attorney General Aaron Ford presented Assembly Bill 19 to the Nevada Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, proposing statutory changes to expand membership of the statewide substance use response working group, known as SURGE.
The bill hearing opened with Ford saying, "The statewide substance use response working group or the surge, as it is called, was created by this legislature in 2021," and describing SURGE's role in producing annual recommendations on programs and funding allocation. Ford said the proposed additions respond to requests from the Nevada District Attorneys Association and the Department of Indigent Defense Services and would add representatives such as emergency response professionals, the Division of Child and Family Services and a member of the general public (with a preference for multilingual ability).
The change to NRS described in the presentation would increase the group's membership to incorporate those voices. Ford said the SURGE meets quarterly and has three subcommittees (prevention; treatment and recovery; response) that meet more often to develop recommendations that are then passed to the larger group.
Senators asked how often the working group meets and whether members are reimbursed. Ford and Dr. Terry Kearns, SURGE's opioid coordinator, said the larger group meets quarterly and the subcommittees meet monthly or more often; membership is voluntary and there is no reimbursement for service. Senator Sayers asked how many bills had come from SURGE; Ford said AB 19 is the primary bill being presented and that legislators must sponsor other recommendations if they are to become law. Ford added his office had incorporated one SURGE recommendation in last session's fentanyl bill (a provision on Medicaid-assisted treatment in local jails and prisons) and noted his office has secured funds to address opioid-related harms.
Senator Stone asked why the committee should be expanded; Ford said the additions were requested by SURGE members and would add expertise and perspectives felt to be missing. Ford emphasized the group's advisory role, and clarified that SURGE itself does not control distribution of opioid settlement funds — that authority rests with the Department of Health and Human Services and the advisory committee (ACORN) created in 2021 to receive recommendations.
No members of the public testified in support, opposition or neutral comment during the hearing on AB 19. The committee closed the AB 19 hearing and proceeded to the next agenda item.
Ending: The committee did not take a formal vote on AB 19 during the hearing. Ford told the committee he would answer follow-up questions and the committee moved on to Assembly Bill 60.
