Nevada lawmakers start second week with death penalty review

Nevada legislators start the second week of the 2003 session with discussion of changes in the state's death penalty law mandated by U.S. Supreme Court rulings.

The high court's decisions last year blocked executions of mentally retarded people and limited the use of judicial sentencing panels.

Those changes and other proposals were endorsed by an interim study committee, and the proposals will be reviewed by the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Also Monday, Assembly Government Affairs plans a hearing on AB23, which would give Nevada's district attorneys and sheriffs pay raises totaling more than 25 percent.

The Nevada Association of Counties says the raises may look large, but merely "catch up" with private sector wage hikes granted since lawmakers last raised pay of county officials eight years ago.

Senate Government Affairs plans a hearing Monday on SB20, prohibiting racial profiling by police officers; and Senate Human Resources and Facilities will review SB44, changing provisions that govern class-size reduction programs in Nevada's public schools.

Other hearings at the week's start include an Assembly Health and Human Services discussion of problems in getting enough nurses for the state's hospitals.

Tuesday, another joint meeting of Assembly and Senate Taxation committees is scheduled, to continue a review of Gov. Kenny Guinn's $1 billion tax plan for the coming two fiscal years.

While the plan has encountered criticism, especially from business interests that don't like the gross profits tax that is the plan's main feature, Guinn said Friday he's "not worried, not concerned."

The Republican governor said odds for the plan's approval increase as legislators spend more time studying it. He added other tax options would work if they can generate enough revenue -- but without enough funds more agency budget cuts will be needed.

Other hearings Tuesday include a Senate Judiciary session on bills dealing with work-restitution programs for juveniles, child custody and courtroom testimony by children.

Legislative budget subcommittees will review various spending plans proposed for the state Human Resources Department and the Department of Business and Industry.

On Wednesday, Assembly Judiciary continues discussion of death penalty legislation; and Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance will review budgets for the attorney general's office and the state's economic development efforts.

Also at midweek, Senate and Assembly panels dealing with natural resources will hear from Robert Abbey, state director of the federal Bureau of Land Management; and from Robert Vaught, supervisor of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

On Thursday, budget subcommittees will review the state Department of Information Technology and the state Health Division; and joint Senate-Assembly transportation panels will review the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

More discussion of tax issues is set for Thursday, with Assembly-Senate tax committees reviewing the state Taxation Department's budget.

Also Thursday, Assembly Government Affairs reviews the state Office of the Labor Commissioner.

On Friday, Senate Commerce and Labor will discuss a bill to punish employers whose skirting of safety laws can leave employees dead or maimed. The proposal got a lukewarm reception from business associations in an initial hearing during the first week of the session.