Legislative briefs for May 1, 2003

Thursday, May 1, 2003 | 9:35 a.m.

Senate panel kills transplant measure

A bill that would provide state workers with paid leave for donating bone marrow or organs was defeated in the Senate Government Affairs Committee Wednesday.

Assembly Bill 3 would have allowed a state employee up to seven days of paid leave for donating bone marrow and up to 30 days of paid leave for an organ donation. It allowed local governments to provide similar benefits.

Sen. Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas, the chairwoman of the committee, said she was concerned about the financial impact on the state.

"There is no way the state can do without an employee for 30 days, and we are going to pay them?"

The bill, passed by the Assembly earlier, had been sponsored by Assemblywoman Dawn Gibbons, R-Reno.

New law helps vets get funerals

Assemblyman Walter Andonov, R-Henderson, says a bill signed Wednesday by Gov. Kenny Guinn "will help ensure that all of our veterans receive dignified and honorable military funerals."

Assembly Bill 306 allows veterans organizations such as the VFW, American Legion and the Marine Corps League to provide funerals for military veterans whose bodies are not claimed by family or friends.

"This legislation is a display of gratitude to those whose contributions and service to our country would otherwise be forgotten," said Andonov, who co-sponsored the bill with Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno.

Study of Internet tax proposal set

The Senate Finance Committee Wednesday approved a bill that calls for a study during the next two years to determine how much tax money Nevada might realize from a tax on Internet sales.

Senate Bill 314 requires the state Taxation Department to oversee the study that will be conducted with help from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the University of Nevada, Reno.

"This is a one-time study to get a handle on what can be anticipated," if the federal government allows the states to impose a levy on e-commerce, Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said.

The measure goes to the Senate floor for a vote, probably early next week.

Fireworks advisory killed by committee

The Senate Government Affairs Committee Wednesday killed a bill that would have required an advisory vote statewide whether the state fire marshal should adopt regulations on the sale of use of fireworks.

Sen. Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas, the chairwoman of the committee, said counties are now empowered to regulate the sale and use of fireworks. She said an ordinance has been adopted in Clark County already.

Assembly Bill 328, sponsored by Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, D-North Las Vegas, would have required the secretary of state to place the advisory question on the ballot in November 2004. She said there should be a uniform state regulation.

She complained that people in Clark County can drive to Nye County and buy fireworks and then return home and set them off on July 4th. She said such fireworks have touched off fires.

United We Stand plate is approved

Gov. Kenny Guinn Wednesday signed Assembly Bill 19 to allow a United We Stand license plate be issued as soon as the Department of Motor Vehicles receives 1,000 applications.

The bill directs the department to work with the state Emergency Response Commission to design the plate "to reflect public solidarity after the acts of terrorism committed on Sept. 11, 2001."

The plate would have an image of the flag and the colors of red, white and blue must be incorporated.