Legislative briefs for February 20, 2001

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001 | 10:38 a.m.

Bill addresses maintenance issue

A bill has been introduced by the Assembly Government Affairs Committee to allow Clark County municipalities to acquire more of the streets now owned by the state.

Marvin Leavitt, a lobbyist for Las Vegas, said the local governments feel they can take care of the streets better. When residents call with complaints about street problems that are officially state routes, such as Rainbow Boulevard, Sahara Avenue or Jones Boulevard, they are told it's up to the state to maintain those.

Assembly Bill 175 requires the state Transportation Board to give priority to requests from local governments in Clark County to relinquish the rights to sections of state routes in the urban areas.

Leavitt said the major problem will be getting the state to reimburse the local governments to maintain the streets. The bill was referred to the Assembly Transportation Committee.

Several bills will benefit LV area

The bacon began frying in the Assembly on Monday as a number of pork projects with potential beneficiaries in Southern Nevada were introduced.

Assembly Bill 190 would earmark $250,000 to the Clark County Public Education Foundation. Assembly Bill 191 would grant $165,000 to Nevada Partners for a recidivism program. Assembly Bill 193 would issue $200,000 for a diversity program at UNLV. Assembly Bill 186 would appropriate $752,142 in 2001-2002 and another $852,977 to UNLV's School of Law for a clinical law program.

The largest appropriation bills introduced Monday would benefit the Clark County School District.

Assembly Bill 184 would give the school district $3,366,560 for creation of a pilot program to extend the school day of selected middle schools by 20 minutes under the pilot program.

Assembly Bill 188 would grant $1 million to the school district over two years 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 for pupils who demonstrate a high risk of dropping out of school.

Wendell Williams, and Morse Arberry, both D-Las Vegas, introduced each of the bills. Williams is chairman of the Assembly Education Committee and Arberry chairs Ways and Means.

Legislature wants building next door

The Legislature has set its sights on acquiring an adjacent apartment complex that has been in Bankruptcy Court.

The Senate Finance Committee introduced a bill Monday calling for $1.7 million to buy the Capitol Apartments south of the legislative building. The structure would be used for staff offices. The measure also says the money could be used for "light renovation" of the building.

Assembly Bill 199 was referred to the Finance Committee.

Henderson seeks changes in laws

The city of Henderson is asking legislators to change certain provisions governing Municipal Court judges.

Assembly Bill 180 would allow salaries to be increased during the terms for which judges are appointed or elected. The measure also requires the judges to be attorneys and the judge's positions to be full time.

The bill, referred to the Government Affairs Committee, also allows a majority of sitting judges to select the senior judge, changing the current requirement based solely on seniority.