Nevada Assembly wants 'advise and consent' on governor's appointments

A majority of Nevada's Assembly members have signed on to a bill that would give lawmakers power to review the governor's major appointments.

The Legislative Committee on Appointments would have authority similar to the U.S. Senate's "advise and consent" authority over major presidential appointments.

Assemblyman Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks, prime sponsor of AB293, said he has long believed the Legislature should have a say in major appointments by the governor.

"The Legislature is the house of the people and you're asking for public involvement," he said.

His proposal was co-sponsored by 26 other Assembly members.

Anderson said the bill would declare the governor's appointment effective for only 90 days while the committee reviews the individual's qualifications. The post would be vacated after that period unless confirmed by the committee.

He said many other states have some form of legislative review of gubernatorial appointments. Nevada's would be unique, he said, in that both houses and both parties would be involved in the process.

Josh Hicks, chief of staff to Gov. Jim Gibbons, made it clear the administration would oppose the bill.

"It's definitely an encroachment on executive power so I doubt it'll get any support from the governor's office," he said.

The list of positions under control of the legislative committee are: the directors of Business and Industry, Conservation and Natural Resources, Corrections and Taxation, the chairman of the Gaming Commission, Public Utility Commission members, Parole Commissioners and a member of the Gaming Control Board.

Finally, it says if any person is rejected for one of those positions, the post becomes vacant immediately and that person cannot be appointed to any office or position on the list for at least a year.

Andersen said the proposal directs the committee to focus on the qualifications of the appointee to hold that particular post. He also said it is not intended as a reflection on the governor, adding that he and Gibbons have been friends since grade-school.

The bill was referred to the Government Affairs Committee for study.

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