Lawmakers kick into high gear in week 6

Nevada lawmakers are stepping up the pace as they begin the sixth week of their 120-day legislative session Monday, with more budgeting hearings and several committees holding work sessions to vote on bills.

On Monday, the Senate Finance Committee will review the Nevada Plan - the complicated funding formula for the state's K-12 education system. The Assembly Education Committee will hear presentations on substance abuse and teen pregnancy in schools, and consider, AB64, which would require teens to provide written verification of school attendance before being issued a driver's license.

Assembly Health and Human Services will be briefed on the state's cancer registry and childhood cancer in Nevada, while Assembly Commerce and Labor will consider AB234, a bill that deals with pest control and, among other things, would prohibit use of air fresheners or fragrances in public accommodations.

On Tuesday, Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance subcommittees hear the budgets for the Colorado River Commission, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Department of Transportation.

Senate Judiciary consider SB183, a bill dealing with recycling containers in common interest communities, and SB200 dealing with time shares.

Assembly Legislative Affairs and Elections hears AB132, which would change the date of some municipal elections to coincide with the state election cycle. Assembly Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining discusses AJR5, a joint resolution urging discussions with the federal government over possible compensation to Nevada for nuclear water contamination.

Senate Health and Human Services considers SB224 and SB228, which would add fake cocaine and synthetic marijuana to the list of controlled substances.

Wednesday, money subcommittees go over budgets for the developmental disabilities, aging and disability services, as well as the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

Assembly Judiciary hears AB180, a bill that would strip the mining industry of eminent domain powers. AB186, also to be heard by the committee, would allow property owned by the federal government in the state to be taken through eminent domain for renewable energy projects.

AB34, which removes a prohibition against using photo or video cameras to nab traffic speeders, will be heard by Assembly Transportation.

Senate Education will consider AB183, which would allow school districts to use some bond reserve money to pay for school repairs and improvements. The bill passed the Assembly, and is at odds with Gov. Brian Sandoval, who is also eyeing school bond reserve accounts to help plug a hole in school operational budgets.

On Thursday, Senate Judiciary hears SB72, a bill clarifying that people convicted of DUI and causing death or serious harm are not eligible for house arrest until after serving a mandatory two years in prison; and SB180, adding gender identity to the list of crimes eligible for enhance penalties.

Senate Commerce and Labor will hear SB181, dealing with energy efficiency and building construction, and SB190, which requires licensing of music therapists.

SB115, addressing hospital rates for emergency services, will be discussed by Senate Health and Human Services, and Senate Legislative Operations and Elections considers SB125, which would change reporting dates for campaign disclosures.

On Friday, money subcommittee dissect Division of Welfare budgets, and Senate Government Affairs hears SB231, which would allow people who have concealed weapons permits to carry guns on university and college campuses.