Legislative briefs

Friday, Feb. 28, 2003 | 10:01 a.m.

Ailing Ohrenschall out of Assembly

Assemblywoman Genie Ohrenschall, D-Las Vegas, is hospitalized in Henderson with a lung infection, according to Democratic leaders.

Ohrenschall, 56, was removed from intensive care at St. Rose Dominican Hospital's Rose de Lima Campus on Wednesday. She has missed the entire week at the Legislature as a result of her illness, but is expected back sometime next week.

Ohrenschall missed more than a month in the 2001 session as a result of a broken leg.

Tougher penalities sought for meth

The Assembly passed a bill Thursday that stiffens penalties for those caught manufacturing methamphetamine.

Assembly Bill 33, sponsored by William Horne, D-Las Vegas, doubles the penalty for manufacturing the drug if the crime was committed within 500 feet of a home, business, place of worship, school, park or other public facility.

The bill also doubles the penalty for methamphetamine production if it is done in the presence of anyone under the age of 18, or if the production poses great risk of harm to another person.

The measure passed 41-0 with Genie Ohrenschall, D-Las Vegas, excused. It will now go to the Senate for hearings.

Hike urged in jury compensation

People who serve on a jury in District or Justice courts would receive an increase in their compensation under a bill unanimously approved by the Senate Thursday.

Senate Bill 73, which goes to the Assembly, also eliminates the automatic exemptions given certain professions from jury service.

The bill, the result of a study by the Nevada Supreme Court, would increase compensation from $15 to $40 per day.

It would also increase the travel reimbursement rate from 20 cents to 36.5 cents a mile if the home of the juror is 65 or more miles from the trial location.

Bill cracks down on lobbyists

Lobbyists to the Legislature would have more restrictions placed on them under a bill introduced by Sen. Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas.

Senate Bill 221 would require a lobbyist to get permission from a lawmaker to ask a legislative staff member to do research or draft a bill or an amendment.

There were complaints in the 2001 Legislature that lobbyists were running to the bill drafters, asking for legislation or amendments. A legislative committee, in the interim, decided to crack down on the conduct of lobbyists.

The bill goes to the Committee of Legislative Affairs and Operations.

The Senate has approved a bill

to repeal some obsolete state laws such as one that prohibits livestock from grazing in a cemetery. Assembly Bill 10 would also eliminate a law that makes it illegal to shear sheep within a city or town. It also would remove the law regarding party-line telephones, which are out of use.

The Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday

sponsored a bill to repeal the law that prohibits local governments from using photographic, video or digital equipment to nab people who violate traffic laws. Senate Bill 220, which goes to the Senate Transportation Committee for study, would repeal the law that bars use of such equipment.