Nevada lawmakers talk about problem gambling

Nevada legislators open the fourth week of the 2003 session with discussions of problem gambling and a plan to boost pay of various county officials by more than 25 percent.

Senate Finance will discuss SB42, which sets up a special $250,000 account for programs to help people deal with gambling addictions. It also allows for treatment instead of jail sentences for certain gambling-related crimes.

The pay hike plan, AB66, will be reviewed by Assembly Government Affairs. The Nevada Association of Counties terms it a necessary step because none of the officials have had a raise for several years.

Senate and Assembly budget committees will continue their review of Gov. Kenny Guinn's $4.81 billion spending plan for the next two years. That includes an Assembly Ways and Means look at state tourism and economic development programs.

Also Monday, Assembly Judiciary will consider bills dealing with parolees. They include AB105, which provides more credits so that inmates can reduce the time they spend behind bars.

Assembly Education plans a hearing on AB138, which would repeal a prohibition against students carrying pagers or other electronic devices while on school grounds.

Senate Government Affairs considers SB147, which would change some of the activities and powers of the state Commission on Ethics.

And Assembly Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining considers AB74, which sets up a funding mechanism for programs to clean up polluted industrial sites known as brownfields.

On Tuesday, Senate Commerce and Labor will consider SB131 and SB132, which requires insurers to offer mold control coverage in homeowner policies; and calls for licensing of firms dealing in mold control.

Assembly Transportation takes up AB44, which would add to the 95 different specialty plates available to Nevada motorists -- by offering one that supports a Shriners group in Reno.

The Assembly Select Committee on Credentials considers a challenge to the November victory of Democrat Marcus Conklin in Assembly District 37. The chairwoman, Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, has questioned why Republican activist Sandra Vitolo filed and then abruptly dropped the challenge.

Senate Taxation will review SB21, which increases monthly fees for state gambling licenses; and Senate Transportation will consider SB116, which would require that children under 9 and less than 80 pounds be strapped in a booster seat when riding in a car.

Also Tuesday, Senate and Assembly budget subcommittees look at the state Department of Business and Industry and at state funding for Nevada's K-12 public schools.

The budget subcommittees will follow up on Wednesday with a look at spending plans for the University and Community College System of Nevada.

The money panels also will review the state Conservation and Natural Resources Department agencies that oversee mines, water and pollution control efforts.

Also Wednesday, the Senate Natural Resources and Government Affairs committees have scheduled a joint meeting to review current and projected water resources in southern Nevada.

Assembly Commerce and Labor considers AB89, which removes an exemption from the state's landlord-tenant laws that now extends to people who rent out four or fewer homes or apartments.

An Assembly Judiciary subcommittee takes up AB28, which sets up firm agreements for contact between a natural parent and child after a child is adopted.

Assembly Natural Resources reviews AB36, which scraps a requirement that state rules governing smoke and other emissions from trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles be modeled after California's standards.

On Thursday, Assembly Transportation reviews AB58, which extends to all Nevada counties a ban on riding in the bed of pickup trucks.

Also Thursday, Assembly-Senate budget subcommittees review the court system, judicial pensions, law library and other court-related issues.

The subcommittees also have scheduled discussion of various health-related programs, including Medicaid and Nevada Check-Up.

On Friday, the budget panels plan to look at various capital construction projects, a statewide energy retrofit program, and the state Department of Motor Vehicles.