Legislative briefs for March 2, 2005

Wednesday, March 2, 2005 | 9:34 a.m.

False complaints would be illegal

The Senate Government Affairs Committee on Tuesday sponsored a bill to make it a misdemeanor to file a false complaint of misconduct against any public official.

Under existing law, it was a misdemeanor to submit a fraudulent complaint of misconduct against only peace officers. A federal judge held that statute invalid.

Senate Bill 150 would make it a misdemeanor to file a false complaint of misconduct against all public officials, not just peace officers. The bill was referred to the Government Affairs Committee.

Expanded NLV council sought

A bill to increase the North Las Vegas City Council from four to six seats was introduced Tuesday by Sen. John Lee, D-North Las Vegas, who said the representation now is too narrow.

Senate Bill 148 would have the present council appoint two members to staggered terms and would increase the number of wards from four to six. As a result three council members instead of two would be elected every two years.

Lee said the council did not ask him to introduce the bill. "We need to have more diverse opinions on the council," he said, adding that the city is growing.

He said there also is a need for more representation on community boards, such as the Regional Transportation Commission. He said some council members make all the meetings but some can't because of their jobs or businesses. This bill would permit these boards to be covered by council members.

The bill was referred to the Senate Government Affairs Committee.

Motorcycle helmet bill introduced

Sen. Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, on Tuesday introduced Senate Bill 151 that would eliminate the requirement of a helmet if the motorcyclist was at least 21-years old, had been licensed to operate a cycle for at least one year and had completed a motorcycle safety course.

The passenger on the motorcycle would not have to wear a helmet if older than 20.

The present law also requires a motorcyclist to wear protective glasses unless the vehicle has a windscreen.

Beers said, "Less than half of the states require a competent adult to wear a helmet no matter what. I would like to join the states that allow adults to use their discretion."

"It's a matter of personal freedom and choice," Beers said.

SB151 was referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security.

Pay asked for Board of Regents

The regents of the University and Community College System currently serve without salary, but that would change under a bill introduced Tuesday by Sen. John Lee, D-North Las Vegas.

Lee said the present system of no pay "attracts an elitist group of people who have been to college and understand the system. But there is a wide group of people out there who also have educational background but can't miss a day of work to support their university system."

He said these people are precluded from running, and he wants that changed "to make sure that the university regents have a wide base of diversity."

He said the average person should have an opportunity to serve "to make our universities and colleges better."

Senate Bill 149 would set the pay at $80 a day for attending meetings and with an extra $5 a day for the chairman of the board. The bill was referred to the Human Resources and Education Committee.

Changes proposed in scholarships

Changes in the Millennium Scholarship provisions are in included in Assembly Bill 153, which was introduced Tuesday. It is supported by Treasurer Brian Krolicki.

The bill would stop students from re-enrolling in the Millennium Scholarship if they dip below the minimum 2.6 grade point average in a semester. It also prohibits the money from being used during the summer semester, unless students are enrolled in an approved accelerated program. And it requires students to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form to determine if they are eligible for other aid.

Finally, the bill would limit the number of credits each scholar could take to 6 credits per semester in community college and 12 credits per semester in other institutions.