Nevada Legislature Briefly 3-5

Gansert calls for DNA samples in all felony arrests

Assembly Minority Leader Heidi Gansert, R-Reno, has introduced legislation that would require DNA specimens be collected for all felony arrests.

Existing law requires collection of biological specimens once a defendant is convicted of a felony. AB234 would expand that to everyone arrested on felony charges and, if that person is convicted, the specimen must be kept.

If the person is acquitted of criminal charges or those charges are dismissed, the bill would mandate the samples be destroyed along with all related records.

However, the legislation would allow police investigators access to the test results conducted on the sample.

The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee for study.

Bill targets scrap metal thefts

A bill was introduced in the Assembly Wednesday that seeks to crack down on people who vandalize property to steal scrap metal and the dealers who buy it from them.

AB233 requires scrap metal processors to maintain detailed records of their purchases and to hold current business licenses.

It also creates penalties for anyone who damages or destroys utility property, agricultural property, construction sites and other property in order to obtain scrap metal. It would be a misdemeanor for $500 or less in damages, a felony for damage greater than that amount or any damage that interrupts service by a utility company.

The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee for review.

Bill affects prosecution of juvenile offenders

The Assembly Judiciary Committee has introduced legislation that would make it harder for district attorneys to have young offenders certified as adults for trial on felony charges.

AB237 raises the threshold age for certifying a child as an adult from 14 to 16.

In addition, it removes language requiring a child to admit to criminal conduct in order to challenge certification as an adult. The Nevada Supreme Court has held that violates the child's constitutional right against self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment.

The proposal was sent back to the Judiciary Committee for study.

Bill would name a state insect

Legislation naming the Vivid Dancer Damselfly Nevada's official state insect was introduced in the Senate Wednesday.

SB166 was sponsored jointly by Sen. Joyce Woodhouse, D- Henderson, and Assemblyman Lynn Stewart, R-Boulder City.

The selection was made by all fourth-grade Gifted and Talented classes in the state.

According to the explanation of the bill, Nevada is one of just eight states in the country that does not have an official state insect.

Water users would pay share of work

Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, Wednesday introduced legislation allowing the owner or operator of a ditch to recover reasonable costs of maintaining or repairing the ditch from everyone who receives any of its water.

SB170 would allow a lien against the property if the owner who receives that water fails to pay a proportionate share of the cost of maintaining and operating the ditch. SB170 was referred to the Natural Resources Committee for study.

Tickets on sale for Democratic dinner

Former Assembly Speaker Joe Dini of Yerington and current Speaker Barbara Buckley of Las Vegas will be keynote speakers when Capital City Democrats hold their 2009 Jefferson-Jackson Dinner March 19 at the Carson Nugget.

Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell of  Carson City will be featured guest.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with no-host cocktails. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.

Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell will be master of ceremonies.

Reservations for the dinner must be made by March 10 by calling 841-3367 or at carson

citydems@sbcglobal.net.

The price is $45 or $320 for a table of eight.

Gibbons criticizes Rep. Berkley

Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons criticized Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., on Wednesday for saying it would be "foolish" for Nevada to turn down unemployment money that's part of the federal stimulus package.

"What is truly foolish is Berkley's cavalier attitude that Nevada should bow down to the federal government and give up its own state sovereignty in a mad grab to claim every last penny of stimulus dollars," Gibbons stated.

Gibbons also criticized Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., for saying she was concerned about the governor's hesitancy to take part of the stimulus funds. Gibbons said the two congresswoman "need to stop being led around by lobbyists and put the interests of Nevada citizens first."

Part of the nearly $1.5 billion in stimulus funds available to Nevada could be used to increase weekly unemployment checks and extend jobless benefits. There's also funding for states willing to expand eligibility to a wider pool of jobless workers.

Nevada doesn't offer the enhanced benefits, and Gibbons' office has said the governor doesn't want to accept funds that would require an expansion in a state program that wouldn't have funding once the stimulus money is gone.

Berkley said that if Nevada doesn't take the money, "We will be so foolish," adding, "It would be a terrible disservice to all of those people who are unemployed and who are looking to the government for that bridge to get back to work."