Legislative briefs for March 23, 2005

Wednesday, March 23, 2005 | 9:27 a.m.

Bill would help Agassi school

The state would provide $900,000 to the Andre Agassi charter school in Las Vegas to build classrooms for full-day kindergarten and first- grade students under a bill introduced by Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, Tuesday.

The Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy now offers grades three through eight and plans to add the kindergarten and first grade in August.

Agassi, the tennis star from Las Vegas, appeared before the Legislature earlier to explain his plans. The academy has raised more than $15 million so far for construction -- most of the money from private donations.

Senate Bill 253 was referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Cegavske seeks unified elections

City elections in Clark County would be held on the same day that the state holds its primary and general elections every two years, under a bill introduced in the Senate Tuesday.

Sen. Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, said the other cities outside of Clark County hold their primary elections in September and the general election in November coinciding with the state. Putting the cities in Southern Nevada on the same schedule would save substantial money, she said.

At present, municipal elections are held in June in odd-numbered years while the state holds its election in even-numbered years.

Senate Bill 252 was referred to the Legislative Operations and Elections Committee, headed by Cegavske.

Measure tarkets disabled parking

Sen. Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, Tuesday introduced a bill to increase the minimum fine for illegally parking in a handicapped space to $250 from $100.

Senate Bill 269 would require the agency issuing the handicapped parking tag to also issue a letter naming the person who has the sticker. And it makes it illegal for a handicapped person to allow another person to use the special parking permit.

Property tax delay proposed

Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, Monday sponsored a bill to allow people to delay paying any increase in their property tax.

Senate Bill 259 would permit a landowner to file a claim to postpone the payment of all or any part of the increase.

The delayed payment would be a lien against the property, but there would be no penalty or interest imposed. The unpaid tax would become due when the owner sold or disposed of the property or he or she dies.

The bill was referred to the Senate Taxation Committee for study.