LEGISLATIVE MANUAL State of Nevada SEVENTY-THIRD SESSION of the NEVADA LEGISLATURE 2005 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 ....................................... 31 Members of the Nevada Legislature .............................................................. 79 Senate....................................................................................................... 81 Assembly ................................................................................................ 83 Members of the Nevada Legislature by District ..................................... 87 Senate .............................................................................................. 87 Assembly ........................................................................................ 88 Interim Committees and Subcommittees (2003-2004) ........................... 89 Senate Standing Committees—2005 ...................................................... 97 Assembly Standing Committees—2005 ................................................. 99 CHAPTER II—LEGISLATIVE STRUCTURE, FINANCIAL OPERATION, AND RESPONSIBILITIES ........................................... 101 Legislative Terminology ................................................................................ 103 The Legislative Structure ............................................................................... 103 Size and Apportionment ......................................................................... 104 2001 Reapportionment and Redistricting ....................................... 104 Membership Qualifications ............................................................................ 105 Vacancies ................................................................................................ 106 Officers and Employees ................................................................................. 106 Interest Groups and Media ............................................................................. 107 Press........................................................................................................ 107 Lobbyists ................................................................................................ 107 Legislative Powers, Privileges, and Responsibilities .................................... 108 Legislator Duties .................................................................................... 108 Privileges and Immunities ...................................................................... 110 Limitations on the Legislative Power ..................................................... 110 Crimes Against the Legislative Power ................................................... 112 Contracts in Which a Legislator Has an Interest .................................... 112 Ethics and Conflict of Interest ................................................................ 113 Reporting of Campaign Contributions and Expenses ............................ 114 Financial Disclosure ............................................................................... 115 Financial Operation of the Legislature ................................................................. 115 Legislative Fund ..................................................................................... 115 Legislator Compensation and Allowances ............................................. 115 Legislators’ Retirement ........................................................................... 116 Compensation of Employees .................................................................. 117 Endnotes for Chapter II ......................................................................................... 119 Page v LEGISLATIVE MANUAL Page CHAPTER III—LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE AND ACTION ........................ 123 Legislative Procedure .................................................................................... 125 Sessions .................................................................................................. 125 Legislative Leadership ............................................................................ 126 Legislative Officers: Senate ........................................................... 126 Legislative Officers: Assembly ...................................................... 127 Floor Leaders .................................................................................. 128 Procedure and Order of Business in the Senate and Assembly .............. 129 Quorum .................................................................................................. 129 Order of Business ................................................................................... 129 The Legislature in Action: A Bill Becomes a Law ....................................... 130 Organizing the Legislature ..................................................................... 131 Catastrophic Emergencies ........................................................................ 132 Bill Drafting ............................................................................................ 132 Prefiling of Bills ..................................................................................... 133 Fiscal Notes ............................................................................................ 134 Introduction and First Reading ............................................................... 134 Committees ............................................................................................. 136 Standing Committees ...................................................................... 136 Committee of the Whole ................................................................. 137 Select Committees and Conference Committees ............................ 138 Committee Hearing ................................................................................ 138 Notice of Bills, Topics, and Public Hearings .......................................... 139 Consent Calendar .................................................................................... 139 Second Reading ...................................................................................... 140 General File and Third Reading ............................................................. 140 In the Other House and Conference Committees ................................... 141 Deadlines for Legislation ....................................................................... 142 Enrollment .............................................................................................. 142 Gubernatorial Action .............................................................................. 142 Effective Date of the Bill ........................................................................ 143 Adoption or Passage of Resolutions ....................................................... 143 Petitions and Memorials ......................................................................... 143 Nonlegislative Initiatives to Change Statutes or the Nevada Constitution .................................................................. 144 Distinction Among Types of Legislation ....................................................... 144 Bill .......................................................................................................... 144 Skeleton Bill ........................................................................................... 145 Joint Resolution ...................................................................................... 145 Concurrent Resolution ............................................................................ 145 One-House Resolution ............................................................................ 145 Endnotes for Chapter III ................................................................................ 146 Page vi LEGISLATIVE MANUAL Page CHAPTER IV—LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL BUREAU AND LEGISLATIVE BUILDING .................................................................. 151 The Legislative Counsel Bureau ...................................................................