Sponsor: Bill is about kids, not state bug

Cathleen Allison / Nevada Appeal

Fourth graders, from left, Meagan Anders, 10; Ryan Underwood, 9; and Lexie Arancibia, 9, of John R. Beatty Elementary School in Las Vegas testify March 18 at the Legislature, urging lawmakers to name the vivid dancer damselfly as the state insect. The bill has passed both houses but must be signed by the governor to become law.

By David McGrath Schwartz (contact), Cy Ryan (contact)

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 | 2 a.m.

No bill has been the subject of more ridicule than the “bug bill.”

The bill making the vivid dancer damselfly the state insect has been held up by commentators as an example of a lackadaisical, easily distracted Legislature.

But hear out Assemblyman Lynn Stewart, R-Henderson. Speaking on the Assembly floor Monday, the co-sponsor of Senate Bill 392, admitted the bill was “semi-serious.” But, he pointed out, the insect was picked by a group of elementary school students.

“It got young people in the state of Nevada interested in government, got them involved and showed they could make a difference,” he said. “Maybe they’ll carry that with them down the road.”

Students from John R. Beatty Elementary School in Las Vegas won a statewide contest by picking the bug. The bill passed the Assembly unanimously, and now goes to the governor’s desk.

The fourth graders testified to the Legislature that they picked the bug because its blue and silver wings reflect the state’s colors, and because it helps the state by eating mosquitoes.

There’s little doubt the Legislature has passed bills for much worse reasons.

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A temporary truce has been reached in a battle among Nevada hospitals over more than $44 million in federal money to pay for treatment of uninsured patients. An agreement outlined for the Senate Finance Committee on Monday calls for no change in how the money is allocated until the state and hospitals work out a permanent agreement.

Currently, Clark County contributes $60.7 million in matching money and county-owned University Medical Center receives $78 million in return. Washoe County contributes $1.5 million and Renown Regional Medical Center collects $5.1 million. Other counties don’t contribute matching money but get some money for local hospitals. The state makes no contribution, but receives $18.8 million, which it uses to match federal money for its Medicaid program for treatment of indigent patients.

Charles Duarte, administrator of the State Health Care Financing and Policy Division, said there isn’t enough money to reimburse all treatment of the uninsured. He said, for example, that Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center, Valley Hospital Medical Center, Summerlin Hospital Medical Center and Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center don’t receive any money.

Some officials have suggested that the state give up part of its $18.8 million.

“There has been some discussion that we (the state) be weaned off that money whether it’s over one, two or several bienniums,” Duarte said.

Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, said there isn’t enough time left in this session to work out a permanent agreement. Rather than forcing a compromise on the hospitals, a better solution will be found if there is time for further study, he said.

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In 2010, voters will decide whether the state should add a layer to its judicial system.

Senate Joint Resolution 9, which would add a court of appeals to Nevada’s legal system, has cleared both houses for the second consecutive session, meaning it will be placed on the ballot next year. The Assembly passed it Monday.

Chief Justice Jim Hardesty, who addressed the Legislature last month, noted that Nevada is one of 11 states without an appeals court. Appeals of District Court decisions go directly to the Nevada Supreme Court.

“It is time for Nevada to take this step,” Hardesty told lawmakers last month.

The appeals court would initially have at least three judges, each elected to a six-year term. The court would hear all appeals of civil cases from district courts and handle questions of law in criminal cases.