Guinn kept busy signing bills

Tuesday, May 29, 2001 | 10:18 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn signed 41 bills Monday, including one that allows Las Vegas casinos to create private "gaming salons" for ultra high-rollers.

Another new law requires prosecutors to produce more evidence when confiscating cash or other items seized in alleged racketeering schemes.

A spokesman for the governor said he received another 140 bills Monday passed last week by the Legislature.

Senate Bill 283 permits casinos, with the approval of state regulators, to provide a private room for high-end players who don't like to mix with the crowd on the casino floor. During debate in the Legislature, supporters said there were fewer than 50 such gamblers in the world. They said casinos in other countries provide the benefit and Nevada hotels just want a chance to entice those players who can afford to lose millions at a sitting.

The casino would be able to bar from the private salons those who don't meet the financial requirements.

Senate Bill 36 revises the rules for forfeiture of property seized in drug raids or arrests in other criminal ventures. Prosecutors, in the civil action, would have to prove by "clear and convincing evidence" that the items seized, such as houses, yachts, cars and cash, are the product of the criminal behavior.

The old requirement called for a "preponderance of evidence" to be produced by the prosecutor.

SB36 also changes the way the proceeds are distributed. Police agencies currently keep everything, but under the bill pushed by Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, police agencies could keep only up to $100,000 a year. Above that, the confiscated money would go to school districts to buy books, computers and software.

Another signed by the governor requires the Clark County School District to map the progress of its regional subdistricts.

Assembly Bill 364, sponsored by Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson, would require annual reports on the number of administrators, teachers and other personnel in each subdistrict; the training they received; the race and gender of the students; and the percentage of pupils with disabilities.