Here’s a quick look at some key bills

Kirsten Searer

Tuesday, March 22, 2005 | 9:34 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Legislators scrambled Monday to introduce almost 200 bills in the Assembly and Senate. Here's a sampling of some of the more interesting and important ones:

Sen. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, introduced Senate Bill 247, which would repeal the 10 percent tax on live entertainment outside of casinos. Instead, she proposes a 10 percent tax on admissions, food and drinks at live adult entertainment clubs, such as strip clubs. Her bill specifies that if it is proven unconstitutional, the present tax would be reinstated.

Sen. Bob Beers introduced Senate Bill 212, which would prohibit high schools from holding classes before 8 a.m. if the classes are required for graduation or promotion to the next grade. Electives, such as gym or student government, could begin earlier. The Clark County School District, which currently starts its high school day at 7:10 a.m., has opposed the bill, saying there are not have enough buses or drivers to push back the start time.

If Beers' bill passed, district officials say they would likely have move middle school start times from 8 a.m. or elementary school start times to earlier than its current slot at 9 a.m. That could be problematic for families that rely on older siblings to pick up and supervise younger children after school, district officials said.

Sen. Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, introduced Senate Bill 221, which would make it easier for home-schooled students to participate in interscholastic sports.

A variety of bills would enact election reform. Two Senate bills would require initiatives to focus on one subject. Senate Bill 224, sponsored by Sen. Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, also would require nonprofit corporations to submit information about their officers to the Secretary of State. Senate Bill 222 also would clarify issues that arose in the last election, including clarifying why names can or cannot be removed from initiative petitions.

Assemblyman Scott Sibley, R-Henderson, introduced Assembly Bill 312, which would require counties to hold a public auction to dispose of any publicly held land. The law is designed in response to questions about land swaps the Clark County Commission approved near McCarran Airport.

Assemblyman Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks, sponsored Assembly Bill 313, which would allow the Interim Finance Committee to allocate low-interest loans through a Rainy Day fund to people facing emergency situations such as the recent floods near Mesquite.

Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, introduced Assembly Bill 317, which would impose a state tax on the admission fees that brothels charge. Leslie said the bill came at the request of brothels that wanted to contribute to state taxes during last session's debate on raising taxes.

Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, introduced Assembly Bill 320, which would provide sales-tax holidays during the back-to-school shopping season. Perkins said his bill could work in conjunction with Senate Bill 167, which also would provide a sales-tax holiday. Perkins said he thinks the Legislature could offer a sales-tax holiday and a refund through motor vehicle registrations to dole out the state surplus.

Perkins also introduced Assembly Bill 322, which would require hospitals in the state to develop a community health plan that identifies the health needs of the community it serves and donate some services.

Assembly Bill 343, sponsored by Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, would strengthen health regulations on manufactured housing in response to problems found last year at the Sky Vue mobile home park.