Legislative briefs for May 30, 2003

Friday, May 30, 2003 | 9:50 a.m.

Senate approves NHP radio money

The Senate approved a bill Thursday to allocate $16.5 million for the potential replacement of the communications system in the Nevada Highway Patrol that allows troopers to talk to other law enforcement agencies.

After three years of operation, the patrol said it learned it did not have permanent authorization from the Federal Communications Commission to use about 150 VHF frequencies.

The patrol was infringing on the frequencies of other users who had federal approval.

The money in Senate Bill 499 would go to the Interim Finance Committee to release once the patrol comes up with a plan for a new system.

The state attorney general's office said it is looking into the legal problems and trying to help the patrol work through the issues of getting new frequencies.

The bill goes to the Assembly.

Compromise made on juvenile court

A Senate-Assembly conference committee has reached a compromise on whether juvenile court hearings on child abuse and neglect should be open or closed.

Assemblyman Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks, said Thursday the committee agreed that the hearings in the Clark County juvenile system should be presumed to be open, unless a judge decides to close them.

But the hearings would be presumed closed in the rest of the state unless a judge finds reason to open them.

Family Court Judge Gerald Hardcastle of Las Vegas had pushed for opening the hearings. He ran into opposition from Washoe County District Judge Charles McGee, who wanted to have them continue to be closed.

The Assembly approved the conference report Thursday and the Senate was expected to agree today.