Condemnation, sex offenders among first proposed 2007 laws

The Legislative Counsel has released the first list of proposed laws that will be drafted for the 2007 session - including eight separate proposals dealing with stricter controls over government's use of condemnation powers and several to expand monitoring and control over sex offenders released from prison.

Government's power to condemn private property became controversial last year after a court upheld the right to condemn, even in cases where the purpose was to transfer the property to another private party for development.

Protests also spawned an initiative headed for November's ballot that would require any land condemned to be used for a valid public purpose.

The list of bill drafts were requested by lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio of Reno and Minority Leader Dina Titus. The requests are the first 218 of what will eventually total some 1,500 pieces of legislation prepared for consideration by the 2007 Legislature.

There are also some perennial favorites already in the hopper, including a joint proposal to eliminate direct elections of judges in favor of the so-called Missouri Plan. Raggio, R-Reno, who heads Senate Finance, and Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, who heads Ways and Means, both back changing Nevada's constitution to appoint rather than elect judges to the bench.

They would have to face voters after their first term - but not in a contested race. Instead, voters would vote up or down on how the judges performed. If a majority said yes, they would stay. If a majority voted no, a replacement would be appointed.

Supporters argue the law would improve the quality of judges because initial appointments would be made on merit. The concept has been rejected several times in the past, with opponents arguing it makes it more difficult to remove a bad judge and reduces voters' role in selection.

Sen. Bob Beers renewed his call to reduce the governmental-services tax paid annually to register a vehicle and Sen. Titus, D-Las Vegas, called for tighter registration rules and community notification for sex offenders. She was joined by Sen. Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, who wants electronic monitoring of child molesters released from prison.

Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, wants to authorize schools to offer classes on the theory of creation design. Previous attempts to introduce creationism or "intelligent design" into public schools have been rejected.

Assemblyman Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, has again proposed legislation to pre-fund Nevada's judicial pensions. The estimated cost last session was more than $34 million, but fiscal experts said it would save several times that much money in the long run. Lawmakers refused to fund the program, instead pumping the money into other projects including university construction.

Sen. Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, has proposed legislation to make it a crime for minors to possess tobacco products or use false ID to buy them. Current law bars selling tobacco to those under 18 but doesn't make the juvenile a criminal.

Assemblywoman Ellen Koivisto, D-Las Vegas, is proposing a law to remove public officials from office for three or more ethical violations.

And Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, wants to authorize courts to include animals in protection orders involving domestic-violence cases.

Assemblyman Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka, has proposed what is expected to be the first of several bills toughening penalties for making and selling methamphetamine.

Within a month, a large number of proposals will be filed with the Legislative Counsel's staff from study committees that have been meeting for the past year. Those committees include major reviews of parole and probation, sentencing, water law and programs, and protection of those with disabilities, among others.

In addition, bills being prepared for state executive branch agencies will be filed. Many are intended to fix problems or weaknesses in existing laws.

Gov. Kenny Guinn's administration will have a number of proposals to make even though Guinn will leave office just before the Legislature convenes in February.

One item Guinn has called for is legislation to restructure the Public Works Board, replacing appointed representatives from the construction and development industry with elected officials. He said modeling the board after the Board of Transportation, which now includes the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and controller among its seven members, would make the board more responsive to public needs in the state.

• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.