2011 Legislature: Jobs, budgets dominate week 2

The second week of the Nevada Legislature kicks off Monday with a rally by state workers protesting Gov. Brian Sandoval's proposed budget and salary cuts, and a hearing on a jobs initiative proposed by Assembly Democrats.

Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 4041 plan a demonstration at noon Monday in front of the Legislature building in Carson City.

Meanwhile, the Assembly Government Affairs Committee on Monday will hear AB144, the Nevada Jobs First Initiative unveiled Thursday by Assembly Democrats. It would give preference on state and local public works projects to contractors who hire Nevada workers, buy their supplies and license their vehicles in-state.

Also that day, Assembly Judiciary will consider AB66, a measure giving pardoned offenders full rights to bear arms, while Senate Government Affairs will consider SB22, which would give cities and counties authority to increase fees for documents such as marriage license, as well as copying costs.

Counties and cities would be charged for prosecutions and legal opinions they receive from the state attorney general's office under AB62, to be heard Monday by the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee.

Sage grouse will be discussed Tuesday in the Assembly Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining Committee. Secretary of State Ross Miller and others will discuss elections in the Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Procedures.

On Wednesday, Senate Government Affairs will consider a bill introduced by Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora, to amend the Elko city charter to change municipal elections from June to the statewide general election in even-numbered years.

Also that day, good behavior credits for inmates will be discussed by the Senate Judiciary, and Assembly Commerce and Labor will consider AB89 involving insurance coverage for acupuncture.

Senate and Assembly education committees on Wednesday will get an overview of Nevada's higher education system from Chancellor Dan Klaich. The Senate panel also will take up two bills. SB95 would authorize a policy to allow tenured professors to pursue entrepreneurial business opportunities. SB96 would add a new requirement to Millennium Scholarships recipients. High schoolers would have to complete 20 hours of community service in the four years before starting college to receive the scholarship.

On Thursday, Assembly Taxation will hear presentations by the cities of Reno and Sparks, as well as the Nevada League of Cities and Municipalities and the Nevada Association of Counties. The governor's $5.8 billion budget proposal includes shifting costs and services to local governments.

Senate Finance and Ways and Means subcommittees Thursday will review Sandoval's proposed budget for the Department of Health and Human Services.