Legislative briefs for April 7, 2005

Thursday, April 7, 2005 | 9:29 a.m.

Senate approves ads for DMV

The state Department of Motor Vehicles will be able to enter into contracts with private companies to place advertisements in its offices, on its mailings and on its Web site under a bill approved by the Senate 13-7 Wednesday.

Senate Bill 33, sought by the department, requires the money received from advertisements be placed in a special fund to encourage the public to use systems that don't require personal assistance from a department employee, such as the self-service kiosks, the Internet or the interactive telephone voice recognition system.

The bill, which goes to the Assembly, was opposed by Las Vegas Democrats Terry Care, Maggie Carlton, Steven Horsford, Dina Titus and Valerie Wiener. Also voting against the measure were Sen. Bernice Mathews, D-Reno, and Mike McGinness, R-Fallon.

Change made for welfare director

Gov. Kenny Guinn Wednesday signed a bill to change the requirements to be eligible for appointment as state welfare administrator.

The old law required the administrator to have a college degree in public or business administration and have three years experience in a welfare agency. This is now eliminated.

Assembly Bill 33 became effective immediately and allows the state Director of Human Resources, who makes the appointment, to give preference to a person who has a college degree in social science, public administration, business administration or a related field.

$130 a day ends for legislators

Today is the 60th day of the Legislature and the final day for the $130 a day pay for lawmakers.

The cutoff in pay in the Nevada Constitution dates back to the times when the lawmakers could complete their sessions within the 60 days.

The 2003 Legislature approved a constitutional amendment to allow the lawmakers to be paid for the full 120 days they are in session. It has passed the Senate this session and is in the Assembly Committee on Elections, Procedures and Ethics. If it is approved this time, it will go on the 2006 election ballot.

The $91 per diem allowance continues for the lawmakers until the end of the session, scheduled for June 6. Each lawmaker also receives $6,800 for travel and living expenses.