Price presents bill to help protect lawmakers’ jobs

Thursday, April 17, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

AB326, sponsored by Assemblyman Bob Price, D-North Las Vegas, updates a law originally passed in 1967. That law bars employers from jeopardizing job seniority of legislators while they attend regular and special sessions.

Price's bill adds state and local government employers to the list of those who can't discriminate against legislators.

"When you spend the time and money to get elected, you should be able to do that without fear of your employer," Price said.

Price suggested an amendment that would make the bill apply to any elected official. He mentioned the case of a university regent whose job was threatened when he attained that post.

"We should extend the protections we give ourselves to other elected officials," said Price, whose wife Nancy Price is a university regent.

Debbie Cahill, director of government affairs for the Nevada State Education Association, suggested that the bill doesn't go far enough.

Cahill said the bill should be amended to protect employee benefits and ensure that employees retain their same jobs as well as seniority.

Government Affairs Chairman Doug Bache, D-Las Vegas, held off a vote on the bill to give Price and Cahill time to draft their amendments.

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