Legislative briefs for May 13, 2003

Tuesday, May 13, 2003 | 9:26 a.m.

Senate passes bill on'diploma mills'

A bill to clamp down on "diploma mills" has been approved by the Senate and sent to the Assembly.

Senate Bill 457 makes it a misdemeanor for a person to use a false or misleading educational credential in pursuit of employment or other benefits.

The vote was 19-2 with Las Vegas Democrats Terry Care and Dina Titus dissenting.

Budget approved for veterans home

A $21.5 million budget to operate the 180-bed state Veterans Nursing Home in Boulder City was approved by the Senate Finance Committee on Monday.

Of the total amount, $4.7 million will come from the state with the rest coming from Medicaid, the Veterans Administration and private payments.

There are currently 48 veterans in the home and that is expected to increase to 158 residents, considered maximum occupancy, by fiscal year 2005.

The home eventually will have 167 positions, down from the 206 sought in Gov. Kenny Guinn's original budget.

Program for well owners extended

The Senate approved and sent to Gov. Kenny Guinn a bill that extends the program in Clark County that gives subsidies to well owners who hook up to the water system.

Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora, said this has been a successful program in which $15,000 to $18,000 is paid by the Southern Nevada Water Authority for the hookup of well owners who want to switch.

The program was to expire in July 2005 but would continue on indefinitely under the bill. The vote Monday on Assembly Bill 213 was unanimous.

Bond issue OK'd for fish hatcheries

The Senate voted 21-0 on Monday to issue $14 million in bonds to complete the restoration of four state fish hatcheries, including the one at Lake Mead built in 1972.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said the refurbishing of the Lake Mead facility has the highest priority. It produced 580,000 rainbow trout in the past year.

The other hatcheries are Gallagher, Spring Creek and Mason Valley.

Senate Bill 416 goes to the Assembly.