Assembly resolution backs annual sessions

Friday, March 30, 2001 | 10:37 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- The Assembly narrowly approved a resolution Thursday calling for annual legislative sessions.

Assembly Joint Resolution 5, approved 24-17, would amend the Nevada Constitution to provide for 120-day sessions in odd-numbered years and 45-day sessions in even-numbered years.

"It seems to be like we're really not serving our state as well as we could be," said Bob Price, D-North Las Vegas, the sponsor of the resolution.

Price argued that the Legislature's money committees have difficulty planning two years into the future based on economic forecasts and revenue projections. And, he said, only six states still have biennial sessions like Nevada.

Assemblyman David Humke, R-Reno, said he liked a provision in the resolution that would allow two-thirds of the Legislature to petition the governor to convene a special session. Currently, the governor alone may call a special session.

Although nobody spoke against the resolution, 17 Assembly members voted against it, including Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, and Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville.

"I don't feel that Nevada has to go to annual sessions, and I feel that there's no support from the community for it," Buckley said.