Updated, February 11, at 07:34 – The 120-day, biennial session of the Nevada Legislature got underway on February 1, and Monday marks Day 8 and a light but growing slate of legislative activities. Please be advised that schedule changes can occur at any time. Here are a few bills and events we’re tracking.
Monday February 8, 2021, Day 8:
1:00 PM – Senate Committee on Education will hear SB27, a bill that would expand the powers of school superintendents to investigate district employees.
1:00 PM – The Senate Committee on Judiciary will hear SB31, a measure that would make domestic violence and other criminal records more readily available through electronic means. The committee will also hear SB19, a measure that would expand access to information on people who are responsible for the safety and well-being of children, elderly persons or persons with disabilities.
4:00 PM – The Assembly Committee on Natural Resources will hear a presentation on outdoor recreation in Nevada from the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Presenters include: Robert Mergell, Administrator, Division of State Parks; Colin Robertson, Administrator, Division of Outdoor Recreation; and Nikhil Narkhede, Program Manager, Commission on Off-Highway Vehicles.
Tuesday February 9, 2021, Day 9:
8:00 – The Assembly Committee on Judiciary will hear an overview of Clark County and Washoe County Offices of the District Attorney. In past sessions, these presentations afford a glimpse of the gigantic prosecutorial workloads (and backlogs) in Washoe and Clark counties. Presenters include: John Jones, Chief Deputy District Attorney, Clark County District Attorney’s Office and Jennifer P. Noble, Chief Deputy District Attorney, Washoe County District Attorney’s Office.
The committee will also hear a presentation from Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman J. Brin Gibson.
3:30 PM – The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will hear SB70, a bill that would revise the provisions governing the use of “chemical restraints.”
The committee will also hear SB69, a bill that would require the participation of public schools in a system to collect data concerning youth risk behavior of pupils enrolled in certain grades. The bill would also require certain reporting concerning curricula and programs on substance misuse and substance use disorders in public schools; providing a penalty.
Wednesday February 10, 2021, Day 10 (the deadline for Bill Draft Requests):
8:00 AM – The Senate Committee on Finance and Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittees on Human Services will consider budgets for child welfare services agencies across the state.
8:00 AM – Assembly Committee on Ways and Means and Senate Committee on Finance, Subcommittees on General Government will consider the Public Employees Benefit Program budget.
8:00 AM – The Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor will hear SB75, a measure that would revise the unemployment contribution rates and eligibility for benefits.
1:00 PM – The Senate Committee on Education will hear SB2, a bill that would remove the requirement to weigh and measure the height of certain students.
1:30 PM – The Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services will hear AJR1, a Joint resolution that would revise some derogatory and thankfully antiquated language regarding citizens with disabilities.
4:00 PM – Assembly Committee on Natural Resources will hear a presentation on Wildfires in Nevada from State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The presenter will be Kacey KC, State Forester Fire warden, Division of Forestry.
5:00 PM – Joint Meeting of the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means and Senate Committee on Finance will hear AB106, a bill that would provide $50 million for grants to businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thursday February 11, 2021, Day 11:
8:00 AM – Senate Committee on Finance, Subcommittees on Public Safety, Natural Resources and Transportation and Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittees on Public Safety, Natural Resources, and Transportation will consider the budgets for the Nevada Department of Public Safety Investigation Division, Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission, the DPS Director’s Office, and the Capitol Police.
9:00 AM – The Assembly Committee on Judiciary will hear AB30, a bill that would expand the eligibility for grants from the Account for Aid for Victims of Domestic Violence.
1:30 PM – The Assembly Committee on Growth and Infrastructure will hear presentations from the Governor’s Office of Energy, and overview of the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada, and an overview from the Nevada Transportation Authority.
3:30 – The Senate Committee on Natural Resources will hear a pair of bills. SB33 would replace the term “reforestation” with “revegetation”; expand the types of vegetation and areas where vegetation is located that the State Forester Firewarden is responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing; expanding the application of certain provisions governing forests and watersheds to include rangelands.
The committee will also hear SB43, a measure that would increase the membership of the Advisory Board on Outdoor Recreation.
Friday February 12, 2021, Day 12:
8:00 AM – The Assembly Committee on Judiciary will hear a pair of bills regarding the provisions for child support, AB27 and AB37.
8:00 AM – A Joint Meeting of the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means and Senate Committee on Finance will consider the budget for the Governor’s Office of High-Level Nuclear Waste and budgets in the Attorney General’s Office.
Brian Bahouth has reported on 11 regular sessions of the Nevada Legislature. Support his work in the Ally.
