2003 Legislative Manual
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
LEGISLATIVE MANUAL State of Nevada SEVENTY-SECOND SESSION of the NEVADA LEGISLATURE 2003 CARSON CITY Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau LEGISLATIVE MANUAL Page ii LEGISLATIVE MANUAL INTRODUCTION The Nevada Legislative Manual, required under Nevada Revised Statutes 218.647, is produced each biennium by the Legislative Counsel Bureau. It is designed primarily as a reference tool for legislators. However, it is also intended for use by members of the executive and judicial branches of government, representatives of private interest groups, and interested citizens. The manual contains information pertaining to legislative structure and procedures, Legislative Counsel Bureau staff services, and administrative details for legislators. It also includes the structure and personnel of the executive and judicial branches of government. Suggestions for corrections or improvements of the manual are welcome and should be directed to the Research Division, Legislative Counsel Bureau. The Flag of the Legislature of the State of Nevada At its 1967 Session, the Legislature of the State of Nevada adopted an official flag, which flies outside the Legislative Building whenever the Senate and Assembly are in session. The flag was designed by the senior government class of Tonopah High School. Page iii LEGISLATIVE MANUAL Page iv LEGISLATIVE MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS Page CHAPTER I—MEMBERS OF THE NEVADA LEGISLATURE....................... 1 Biographies of Members of the Nevada Senate ............................................ 3 Biographies of Members of the Nevada Assembly ....................................... 35 Members of the Nevada Legislature ............................................................. 85 Senate ................................................................................................. 87 Assembly ................................................................................................ 89 Members of the Nevada Legislature by District .................................... 93 Senate ............................................................................................. 93 Assembly ........................................................................................ 94 Interim Committees and Subcommittees (2001-2002) .......................... 95 Senate Standing Committees—2003...................................................... 103 Assembly Standing Committees—2003 ................................................ 105 CHAPTER II—LEGISLATIVE STRUCTURE, FINANCIAL OPERATION, AND RESPONSIBILITIES ........................................... 107 Legislative Terminology................................................................................ 109 The Legislative Structure .............................................................................. 109 Size and Apportionment ......................................................................... 110 2001 Reapportionment and Redistricting ....................................... 110 Membership Qualifications .................................................................... 111 Vacancies................................................................................................ 112 Officers and Employees ......................................................................... 112 Interest Groups and Media ..................................................................... 113 Press................................................................................................ 113 Lobbyists ........................................................................................ 113 Legislative Powers, Privileges, and Responsibilities .................................... 114 Legislator Duties .................................................................................... 114 Privileges and Immunities ...................................................................... 116 Limitations on the Legislative Power .................................................... 116 Crimes Against the Legislative Power ................................................... 118 Contracts in Which a Legislator Has an Interest.................................... 118 Ethics and Conflict of Interest ............................................................... 119 Reporting of Campaign Contributions and Expenses ............................ 120 Financial Disclosure ............................................................................... 121 Financial Operation of the Legislature .......................................................... 121 Legislative Fund ..................................................................................... 121 Legislator Compensation and Allowances ............................................. 121 Legislators’ Retirement .......................................................................... 122 Compensation of Employees ................................................................. 123 Endnotes for Chapter II ................................................................................. 125 Page v LEGISLATIVE MANUAL Page CHAPTER III—LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE AND ACTION ........................ 129 Legislative Procedure .................................................................................... 131 Sessions ................................................................................................. 131 Legislative Leadership ........................................................................... 132 Legislative Officers: Senate .......................................................... 132 Legislative Officers: Assembly ..................................................... 133 Floor Leaders .................................................................................. 134 Procedure and Order of Business in the Senate and Assembly ............. 135 Quorum ................................................................................................. 135 Order of Business ................................................................................... 135 The Legislature in Action: A Bill Becomes a Law ....................................... 136 Organizing the Legislature ..................................................................... 137 Bill Drafting ........................................................................................... 138 Prefiling of Bills ..................................................................................... 139 Fiscal Notes ............................................................................................ 139 Introduction and First Reading .............................................................. 140 Committees ............................................................................................ 141 Standing Committees...................................................................... 141 Committee of the Whole ................................................................ 143 Select Committees and Conference Committees ........................... 143 Committee Hearing ................................................................................ 144 Notice of Bills, Topics, and Public Hearings ......................................... 144 Consent Calendar ................................................................................... 145 Second Reading...................................................................................... 145 General File and Third Reading ............................................................. 146 In the Other House and Conference Committees................................... 147 Deadlines for Legislation ....................................................................... 147 Enrollment .............................................................................................. 147 Gubernatorial Action .............................................................................. 148 Effective Date of the Bill ....................................................................... 148 Adoption or Passage of Resolutions ...................................................... 148 Petitions and Memorials......................................................................... 149 Nonlegislative Initiatives to Change Statutes or the Nevada Constitution ................................................................. 149 Distinction Among Types of Legislation....................................................... 150 Bill .......................................................................................................... 150 Skeleton Bill ........................................................................................... 150 Joint Resolution...................................................................................... 150 Concurrent Resolution ........................................................................... 150 One-House Resolution ........................................................................... 151 Endnotes for Chapter III ................................................................................ 152 Page vi LEGISLATIVE MANUAL Page CHAPTER IV—LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL BUREAU AND LEGISLATIVE BUILDING .................................................................. 157 The Legislative Counsel Bureau ................................................................... 159 Legislative Commission ......................................................................... 160 Interim Finance Committee ..................................................................