Lawmakers to get revenue update

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CARSON CITY — With just four weeks left in the 2007 legislative session, state lawmakers are looking to fiscal analysts for a report Monday that will help them determine whether more cuts are needed in the nearly $7 billion budget on which they’re working.

The state Economic Forum last week made revenue projections showing another $75 million in cuts may be needed, atop the $112 million in reductions already outlined by Gov. Jim Gibbons.

But on Friday, state Budget Director Andrew Clinger said property tax revenue for schools increased more than anticipated.

The end result is the Legislature must cut $48.2 million more out of the governor’s proposed budget.

Besides the revenue update, lawmakers have a busy hearing schedule Monday, including an Assembly Ways and Means session on Assembly Bill 544, which would appropriate $170 million for Interstate 15 improvements in Las Vegas.

The Assembly may take a final vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that would create an appeals court between the state’s district courts and the Supreme Court, a move twice rejected by Nevada voters. If approved, Senate Joint Resolution 9 must come back to lawmakers in 2009 for another round of approvals before going to a public vote in 2010.

Assembly Commerce and Labor considers Senate Bill 53, a bill that would ban performers from faking connections to recording legends from years past. Former members of the Supremes, the Platters and Sha Na Na showed up at a hearing in March to press for approval of the bill.

The committee also considers Senate Bill 409, which would force insurance companies to cover costs of a new cervical cancer vaccine.

Senate Government Affairs reviews Assembly Bill 12, which calls for the replacement of the state Public Works Board, and Assembly Education discusses Senate Bill 143, which would give parents in some schools report cards on their own involvement in the education of their children.

Senate Human Resources and Education considers bills aimed at increasing oversight of the state’s shelter system. They include Assembly Bill 147, which would prohibit the placement of children under six years of age in group shelters.

Also being discussed by the committee is Assembly Bill 263, which would make some improvements in reporting by child welfare agencies when a child in state custody dies or nearly dies because of abuse or neglect.

On Tuesday, several energy-related bills are on the Senate Commerce and Labor agenda, including Assembly Bill 1, which adds geothermal energy to a list of renewable energy resources that qualify for state incentives.

Senate Judiciary discusses several measures, including Assembly Bill 107, which would add swords, axes, hatchets, machetes and other deadly weapons to the items that are prohibited on school campuses.

Assembly Ways and Means reviews Assembly Bill 168, which would boost health care coverage for low-income pregnant women and children, and expand a subsidy program for employees of small businesses to help the workers buy health insurance policies.

Senate Legislative Operations and Elections reviews Assembly Bill 605, updating laws against a public official’s use of state equipment or personnel for campaign activity.

Assembly Elections, Procedures, Ethics and Constitutional Amendments discusses Senate Bill 548, which requires that candidates for public office, when filing periodic finance reports, disclose information for the full calendar year immediately preceding the deadline for those reports.

On Wednesday, Senate Government Affairs debates Assembly Bill 433, which limits the ability to hold closed meetings. The measure is a response to a 2005 closed-door vote by the state Tax Commission to grant a $40 million tax refund to Southern California Edison.

Senate Judiciary reviews Assembly Bill 519, a proposal to limit the authority of Nevada judges to seal lawsuits from public view.

Assembly Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining takes up Senate Bill 329, which makes it a misdemeanor to leave a cat or dog unattended in an extremely hot or cold car.

On Thursday, a joint Senate-Assembly budget panel is scheduled to close the budget for the state Public Employees Benefit Program, which is facing a projected $4.1 billion long-term unfunded liability.

Senate Legislative Operations and Elections considers Assembly Bill 335, which changes the manner in which candidates disclose their expenses and contributions and requires local governments to regulate activities of lobbyists.

On Friday, Assembly Government Affairs debates Senate Bill 516, which allows for pay hikes for various local government officials. Under the plan, for example, the Clark County sheriff’s salary could jump from $134,263 to $156,892 a year. The Washoe County sheriff’s pay could increase from $110,632 to $129,278.