Panels forced to clear bills

Siobhan McDonough

Tuesday, May 22, 2001 | 9:52 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada lawmakers cleared out stacks of bills from committees, on subjects ranging from highway road crews to video voyeurs, as another deadline for action hit Monday.

The measures already had survived deadlines for approval by the houses in which they originated. On Monday, most Senate bills had to clear Assembly committees, and Assembly measures had to emerge from Senate committees.

Proposals that made the cut included Assembly Bill 27, requiring warning signs, flashing lights and other safety precautions when juveniles are assigned community service work along or near highways.

The bill approved by Senate Judiciary stems from the deaths of six youths when hit by a van that drifted off Interstate 15.

The panel also passed Assembly Bill 327, which began as a proposal to block executions of anyone younger than 18. The age provision was removed, leaving the minimum age at 16. Now the bill deals with court procedures in capital cases.

But the committee shelved Assembly Bill 353, barring the execution of people whose IQ is 70 or lower.

Also rejected was Assembly Bill 331, expanding the types of crimes that would block volunteers from working with children. The measure listed crimes such as murder, child abuse, recent cases of drunken driving and drug offenses. Currently, only sex offenders are disqualified.

Other bills approved by Senate Judiciary:

Assembly Bill 500, calling for a study of racial profiling in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada's urban centers.

Senate Bill 551, which targets people who use the Internet to stalk people or try to lure children under age 16 into sexual conduct.