Bill would allow governor to pick wildlife director

CARSON CITY — The Assembly voted 35-6 Friday for a bill that gives the governor, not the state Wildlife Commission, the authority to name the director of the state Department of Wildlife.

The bill, proposed by Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, D-Sparks, was drawn up in response to Gov. Jim Gibbons’ decision in November to fire Ken Mayer as wildlife director. Mayer, appointed three years earlier by Gibbons, had incurred the wrath of the nine-member Wildlife Commission for taking positions in line with conservation groups.

Gibbons dismissed him from his job just before Mayer was scheduled to meet with Governor-elect Brian Sandoval about remaining as wildlife director. Under state law, when the wildlife director position is vacant, then the new director must be appointed from recommendations made by the commission.

Since the commission would not back Mayer, Sandoval later appointed him acting director of the Wildlife Department.

If the Senate passes the bill, then Sandoval could move immediately to appoint Mayer director, regardless of what the commissioners want.

Under the bill, one wildlife commissioner also must have expertise in advocating issues relating to conservation.

Ten of the 16 Republicans supported the bill. Assembly Minority Leader Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka, said he backed it only to clear up the problem created for Sandoval when Gibbons fired Mayer.