Lawmakers considering annual legislative session

By Cy Ryan

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 | 7:08 p.m.

CARSON CITY — Nevadans will vote on a proposed constitutional amendment in November that would allow the Legislature to call itself into special session with a two-thirds vote. And lawmakers are also discussing the possibility of annual sessions as they look at needed changes.

The Legislature meets once every two years for 120 days. And only the governor can convene a special session.

Assemblyman Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, says it's time to eliminate the biennial sessions. "Meeting every two years does not work any longer," said Segerblom, chairman of the Legislative Committee to Study the Structure and Operations of the Nevada Legislature.

The Legislature meets for 120 days but gets paid for only 60 days. Lawmakers earned $146 a day in 2011, plus $154 per diem for the full session. A lawmaker earned an average of $43,774 over the two years, including salary, per diem, travel, telephone allowance and pay for attending meetings in the off-session.

Forty-six states have annual sessions and in 16 states, including Nevada, only the governor can convene a special session.

In support of annual sessions, Assemblyman Jason Frierson, D-Las Vegas, said the Legislature needs to make adjustments in times of emergencies. He cited the foreclosure crisis.

"You can't wait a year and a half to make changes," he said.

There have been 10 special sessions called since 2000 and Segerblom said most have been convened for budget matters.

The committee did not take action on annual sessions. If a proposed constitutional amendment to have annual sessions is introduced in 2013, it would have to pass two sessions of the Legislature and then be approved by the voters.