Senate approves collective bargaining transparency bill

The Nevada Senate on Friday approved a bill designed to increase transparency in local government collective bargaining agreements.

SB158 requires collective bargaining agreements be posted publicly for all to see for at least three business days before the hearing in which the government intends to approve the agreement.

It also requires all supporting and backup material connected to the bill be made public for inspection.

There have been objections from a wide range of groups and individuals that they know almost nothing about what is in a collective bargaining agreement until after it is voted on and finalized. Those agreements with unions are worked out behind closed doors, raising questions about whether the public has any input on deals that can cost a lot of public money once signed.

Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, moved to expand the agreements that must be made public to everything involving contracts for local government employees and compensation, not just collective bargaining.

But Sen. Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka said that would require posting of materials for compensation changes involving even just one employee.

He said that issue was discussed in the committee and “was determined the language was so broad reaching that any and all information would have to be posted.”

The amendment was defeated on a party line vote with 11 Republicans opposed.

But the bill itself was approved 19-1 with only Democrat Tick Segerblom of Las Vegas opposing it.

The bill goes to the Assembly for review.