Legislative briefs for June 7, 2005

Tuesday, June 7, 2005 | 11 a.m.

Tourist district bill approved

CARSON CITY -- A bill permitting the state and local governments to create a tourist improvement district and issue bonds to finance a project won approval shortly before the end of the regular session of the Legislature Tuesday morning.

Sen. Terry Care, D-Las Vegas, was concerned about whether Senate Bill 306 would allow Las Vegas to use taxpayer money to build a stadium to attract a major league baseball team or a team from the National Football League.

"I don't want the taxpayers to end up footing the bill for a major league team or NFL," Care said.

Millions marked for mental health needs

CARSON CITY -- A bill that cleared the Nevada Legislature on Sunday allocates millions of dollars to help the state deal with the growing mental health problems in Southern Nevada and the shortage of beds at the state mental health facility in Las Vegas

There is $1.7 million over the next two fiscal years going to the state Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services to increase by 90 the number of community residential placements of mentally ill persons.

Assembly Bill 175 allocates $7 million to the division to find additional beds for acute psychiatric cases if the agency cannot provide the services.

And a mental health court will be established in Clark County at a cost of $1.9 million over the next two fiscal years.

Guinn calls 6th special session

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn's numerous proclamations convening special sessions has earned him the nickname of "Special K."

Today's was the state's 22nd special legislative session. Guinn has convened six of them.