Legislative briefs for March 6, 2001

Tuesday, March 6, 2001 | 9:42 a.m.

Measure effects mayors, councils

The Assembly Government Affairs Committee Monday introduced a bill to require that mayors and city council positions be partisan offices.

Committee Chairman Doug Bache, D-Las Vegas, said the Paradise Democrat Club asked for the bill. But he said he expected "a lot of resistance" to Assembly Bill 276, which was referred to the Committee on Elections, Procedures and Ethics.

Currently, the offices are nonpartisan.

Government deals would be public

An out-of-court settlement involving a governmental unit could not be kept confidential under a bill introduced Monday by the Assembly Government Affairs Committee.

Committee Chairman Doug Bache, D-Las Vegas, introduced the bill for former Assemblywoman Gene Segerblom, D-Boulder City, who was defeated in the last election.

All of the settlements or agreements would be public records and open to inspection.

Restaurants would have to post signs

State Sen. Valerie Wiener, D-Las Vegas, wants to require restaurants that serve liquor to post warning signs about the danger of drinking during pregnancy.

The sign, to be at least 10 inches by 10 inches and in bold print, would read "Health Warning: Drinking wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages during pregnancy can cause birth defects."

Her bill, Senate Bill 277, which was introduced Monday, carries a $500 penalty for any business that would ignore the sign requirement.