Legislative Briefs — May 17, 1999

Monday, May 17, 1999 | 12:06 p.m.

Committee decides not to lower score

The Assembly Education Committee has reversed its decision to lower the test scores on the high school proficiency test to help out the 2,301 seniors who have not passed.

The committee on Thursday agreed to lower the passing score on math from 61 to 54, but it rescinded its action late Friday. There was discussion about exempting this graduating class from passing the tougher examination, but no action was taken.

The state Board of Education amended its rules to allow seniors to take the test as many times as they want in order to qualify for a diploma. Seniors must pass the test to earn their diplomas.

SCHOOLS

Bill of Rights mandate dies in committee

A bill that would require public schools to teach the "essentials" of such things as the Bill of Rights, George Washington's Farewell Address and the Declaration of Independence has died in the Assembly Education Committee.

Instead of passing Senate Bill 285, the committee adopted a resolution urging the school districts to offer the instruction.

FLUORIDATION

Guinn gets bill on county water

A bill that would require the fluoridation of public water in Clark County has gone to Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Assembly Bill 284 started out in the Assembly calling for both Clark and Washoe counties to fluoridate their water. But senators deleted Washoe County from the mandatory requirement because of strong local opposition.

PIER

Approval still needed from Tahoe agency

An Assembly committee has decided that Las Vegas liquor dealer Larry Ruvo and lobbyist Harvey Whittemore must still get approval from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency before they can build a pier at the Glenbrook resort at Lake Tahoe.

The Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee Friday eliminated all references in Senate Bill 192 of the Glenbrook Home Owners Association and a pier. Ruvo and Whittemore are in a fight with the homeowners association over whether they can build a pier and an entertainment center on property they own.

The bill comes up for final passage in the Assembly.

UNION

Senate panel kills collective bargaining

A union of state employees has again lost its bid for the right to bargain collectively for wages and benefits.

The Senate Government Affairs Committee, on a party line 4-3 vote, rejected Assembly Bill 131, which would have given state workers the same rights enjoyed by local government employees and school teachers.

The legislation has failed in at least six prior sessions.

CAB KICKBACKS

Panel votes to fine clubs over payoffs

The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee has voted to impose fines up to $1,000 on club owners who pay cab drivers who persuade customers to visit their businesses.

The practice is aimed at stopping diversion of passengers to topless clubs in Las Vegas. The committee heard testimony that investigations showed customers were being taken to certain clubs, even though they may have asked to be transported to another business. The cab drivers then received a payoff from the club owner.

The prohibition was added to Assembly Bill 193, a bill on telephone dialing systems.

The bill goes to the floor of the Senate for a vote this week.

PRISONS

Committee approves more than $300 mil.

A Senate panel approved a $300 million-plus budget Saturday for Nevada's prison system that doesn't include Gov. Kenny Guinn's plan to have a private company take over inmate medical care.

But Senate Finance Chairman Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said the prison system's medical division must prove in the coming two-year budget cycle that its costs can be controlled.

Guinn fought to privatize the medical care for inmates.