Thursday, March 6, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
AB45 passed 34-7 Thursday, distinguishing it from all other bills which came up for Assembly action this year and didn't get any "no" votes. It now moves to the Senate.
AB45, introduced by the Assembly Government Affairs Committee, mandates bargaining for school district employees in decisions including salaries, benefits and the transfer and reassignment of employees.
The bill replicates two bills that were introduced in 1995 but never made it out of Government Affairs. It clarifies that existing bargaining laws apply to all school district employees and not just teachers.
Assemblyman John Carpenter, R-Elko, opposed the bill on grounds it could hurt rural governments. Several government entities in his district complained to him about the bill, he said.
"I can see this happening in an urban area that's much more concentrated," Carpenter said. "But in districts like mine, things are scattered. If they're trying to cover all situations they could get into a bind."
Carpenter said bargaining laws that apply to teachers have already caused some problems in his district.
"They have to be able to move these people," Carpenter said.
Carpenter was joined by six other Republicans, including Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville.
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