Guinn signs measure on election reform

Monday, April 28, 2003 | 9:07 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn signed a bill Friday to allow the state to accept $5 million from the federal government to start complying with the new national voters act.

Senate Bill 417 sets up an account for the federal money to be administered by Secretary of State Dean Heller, the state's chief election officer.

Heller said the money would be used for buying electronic voting machines for some rural counties and to start a centralized statewide voter registration system.

He said a second bill, Senate Bill 453, which is in the Assembly, ensures that the state law will be in compliance with the Help America Vote Act.

"These are two giant steps in the process of making sure Nevada is in compliance with the act and does not jeopardize losing out on millions of dollars in federal funding," Heller said.

He said the federal law requires each state to develop a plan for meeting the national goals. He also said the state is eligible to receive an additional $20.4 million later from the federal government.

Guinn also signed Assembly Bill 53, which enhances the penalty for assaulting health care professionals such as doctors, medical lab technicians, chiropractors, dentists, ambulance attendances, social workers, marriage therapists and psychologists.