Anti-terrorism bill passes Assembly

Erin Neff

Thursday, April 17, 2003 | 9:49 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Assembly unanimously approved an anti-terrorism measure Wednesday without any voiced opposition, despite earlier concerns that the bill stepped on constitutional rights.

"This bill does not take away your civil rights," said Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, the sponsor of Assembly Bill 250.

"The Constitution is not an obstacle along our pathway to this legislation," Perkins said. "The Constitution is our pathway."

AB250 is a sweeping anti-terrorism bill that, among other things, increases penalties for committing or abetting acts of terrorism. It also makes terrorism an aggravating factor in death penalty cases and requires resort hotels to file a preparedness plan for emergency response with local authorities.

Assemblyman David Brown, R-Henderson, who had a bill -- not processed -- that covered the aggravating factor for terrorism, had struggled to define terrorism and looked to other states for guidance.

"I said to myself that the state of Nevada can't get this wrong, it has to get it right," Brown said. "We got it right, and I'm greatly encouraged."

After AB250 passed, Perkins said he thought the many concerns expressed by the American Civil Liberties Union and others helped strengthen the bill.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, has his own omnibus anti-terrorism bill, Senate Bill 38, that drew numerous concerns in committee.

Perkins said he thought the Senate "will recognize the hard work in this house" during negotiations that will determine which version goes to the governor to become law, "and use the language in the bill as the appropriate language."

Raggio's bill was amended Wednesday in the Senate and it could come for a vote as early as today in that house.

Ironically, the amendment the Senate adopted Wednesday was the language the Assembly deleted amid concerns.

AB250 removed the references to coercing civilian populations and added language that stated the bill was not intended to infringe upon a person's civil liberties.