More travel funds might be allowed

Thursday, April 14, 2005 | 9:36 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

Southern Nevada legislators could soon get more money for travel expenses under a bill considered Wednesday by the Senate Finance Committee.

Senate Bill 311 would increase the allowance legislators get money for travel and housing during the biennial sessions. Legislators currently get up to $6,800 in a regular session and $1,000 in a special session for moving expenses, travel during the session, rent and other housing costs.

The bill would allow legislators in Clark County and rural Nevada to draw at least $7,000 in a regular session and $1,200 in a special session. The Legislative Commission would set a maximum amount legislators could draw based on the recommendation of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

Staff members estimate it would cost an additional $140,000 per session. They estimated that the 48 legislators who qualify for the travel and housing funds would take 18 round trips to their home, need $1,800 for automobile mileage, $1,000 for five months of furniture rental and $2,464 for housing rentals.

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