Legislature briefs for June 2, 2005

Thursday, June 2, 2005 | 9:45 a.m.

Lawmakers' allowance OK'd

The Assembly voted 41-1 Wednesday to give themselves and senators a retroactive increase in their travel and housing allowance for a session from $6,800 to $10,000.

Senate Bill 311, which returns to the Senate for agreement on an amendment, also raises the allowance for a special session from $1,000 to $1,200. When the Senate approves the amendment the bill will go to Gov. Kenny Guinn.

The lawmakers receive $6,800 to return home on weekends and can use up to $600 a month of that to pay for lodging.

They also receive a $91 per diem for the full 120 days of the legislative session. Legislators draw a salary of $130 per day pay for up to 60 days but don't get paid for the second half of the session. A proposed constitutional amendment will be put before the voters in 2006 to allow the legislators to be paid for every day they are in session.

Assemblywoman Sharron Angle, R-Reno, cast the lone dissenting vote.

Bill bans devices to change lights

Individuals will be barred from owning electronic devices that would allow them to alter a traffic control device under a bill approved by the Assembly Tuesday.

Police and firefighters have the ability to turn a traffic signal to green to allow them to proceed through intersections.

Assembly Bill 384 makes it a misdemeanor to sell or possess one of the devices. The Assembly agreed with an amendment with the Senate and sent the bill to Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Confidentiality of addresses clears

A bill allowing county assessors to set up a program to keep confidential the home addresses and other information on peace officers and judges, cleared the Assembly Wednesday and headed for Gov. Kenny Guinn.

The Las Vegas Police Protective Association sought Assembly Bill 142 because of fears that gang members or other criminals might get the addresses of law enforcement officers and their families.

An individual would apply to a District Court judge for a court order to allow the address and photographs of the home be kept confidential. The bill extends this privilege to surviving spouses of peace officers and to federal law enforcement officials such as the FBI, the National Park Service, Secret Service, Homeland Security and those who work for the U.S. Treasury.