Two bills would boost pay for legislators

Tuesday, March 18, 2003 | 9:45 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Among the 96 bills introduced in the Senate Monday were two to put more money in the pockets of state legislators.

Sen. Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, wants lawmakers to collect up to $20,000 each session for the amount of income lost for service during the 120 days of the Legislature.

Meanwhile, Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora, sponsored Senate Bill 368 to reimburse lawmakers up to $5,000 in between sessions for travel within the district to take part in public meetings, such as city councils or county commissions.

The bill would stop travel reimbursement after a lawmaker has filed candidacy for re-election.

Nolan's Senate Bill 391 would have legislators file a request after the session with the director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau. The director may require copies of federal tax returns and paycheck stubs of the lawmaker to establish how much lost pay should be reimbursed.

The director is appointed by legislators.

The 63 legislators are paid $7,800, or $130 a day, for the first 60 days, then their salary is eliminated. Of that amount 15 percent is deducted to pay their premiums for the state retirement system.

All lawmakers receive $85 a day for expenses for the full 120 days. Those who live more than 50 miles from Carson City get an extra $506 a month housing allowance, a bill pushed through by Nolan in a previous session.

They are paid 36 cents a mile to cover their travel to and from home during the session. The maximum they can receive is $6,800. There's a $2,800 allowance for telephone calls and $60 for postage. Committee chairman and legislative leaders also receive an extra $900 for these expenses.

They are supplied with free stationery and business cards. They are covered by industrial insurance in case they are injured on the job. But if they want to enroll in the state's health insurance program, they must pay the full premium, which is more than $400 a month now.

Nolan's bill this session also seeks to allow each lawmaker $6,000 for mailing during the interim. This would include letters, pamphlets or brochures. But it would not include a solicitation for campaign contributions or any manner related to a political campaign.

The bill was referred to the Finance Committee for study.