Legislative briefs for April 26, 2001

Thursday, April 26, 2001 | 11:24 a.m.

Measure calls for study of size

The Clark County School District would have to establish a committee to look at the possibility of building smaller schools, under a bill approved by the Senate 21-0 Wednesday.

Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas, noting that Southern Nevada high schools are reaching enrollments of 4,000 students, said experts feel the ideal size of a high school should be 900 students; a middle school 500-600 and an elementary school, 300 students.

Schneider's measure, Senate Bill 311, originally required the district to build a certain amount of small schools, but it was turned into a study, with the district to report its recommendations in November 2002 and 2004.

The bill goes to the Assembly.

Licenses sought for time shares

The Senate Wednesday passed a bill requiring the state Gaming Policy Committee to study whether time shares qualify as resort hotels in order to get a gaming license.

Time shares are allowed limited slot machines. The policy committee must report in February 2003 about whether these projects should have unlimited gambling.

Senate Bill 419, which goes to the Assembly, would also require the committee to study the expansion of gaming over the Internet, increased competition with Indian tribes and problem gambling.

Two bills don't include schools

Several lawmakers used two votes on impact fees Wednesday to again clamor for revenue to build new schools.

Assembly Bill 458 allows local governments to charge impact fees on residential developments to fund fire stations, police stations or certain park projects.

Assembly Bill 462 would local governments to impose fees on nonresidential construction to pay for regional parks.

Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, and Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, are concerned that any impact-fee legislation fails to include school construction.

Both measures passed and were referred to the Senate.

Amendment helps bill pass Assembly

Assembly members still had reservations but voted to pass a bill Wednesday that increases penalties imposed on those who illegally dump trash.

An amendment to Assembly Bill 442 allowing a judge to impose community service of anywhere from 10 to 200 hours for violators, ensured its passage Wednesday, by a 30-11 margin.

The bill, sponsored by Genie Ohrenschall, D-Las Vegas, hit a snag last week when the first attempt to pass the measure failed. John Lee, D-Las Vegas, asked to reconsider the vote because he voted against it and wanted Ohrenschall to have more time to amend the measure.

Bill's consequences concern senator

Sen. Maurice Washington questions whether a bill that would criminalize the secret videotaping of people would lead to reduced sentences for child pornographers.

Washington, R-Sparks, told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday he's concerned because Assembly Bill 305 calls for a one- to five-year suspended prison term for people involved in "video voyeurism," which is much less than the penalty under existing child pornography laws.

Video voyeurism involves the videotaping or photographing of people without their knowledge in private places such as restrooms, bedrooms or locker rooms.

Washington said child pornographers now get minimum prison sentences of 10 years. Gemma Waldron, a deputy Washoe County district attorney, said children used in child pornography often aren't acting against their wills, and that the video voyeurism bill would help people who don't even know they are being photographed.