Legislature news briefs

CARSON CITY -- A budget that allocates $28.3 million more to fix the much-criticized computer system of the state Welfare Division but doesn't provide any extra money for poor families was approved Wednesday by the Senate Finance Committee.

But the committee agreed to provide, for the first time, funds to some grandparents and others who are not on public assistance but who take care of children who are receiving state aid.

Total spending for the Welfare Division over the next two years will be an estimated $600 million, under the committee-approved budget.

The average monthly grant to a family of three on welfare is now $348, which has not been changed at least in the last six years. Gov. Kenny Guinn and a Senate-Assembly subcommittee on welfare did not recommend any increase.

While the finance committee decided not to change the grant level, it authorized spending $28.8 million more on "Nomads," the computer system started in 1989 at an initial cost of $22 million. The current cost is $95 million and it has yet to turn out a valid document. If the system is not fixed, the state can lose federal money.

The bill now becomes part of the appropriations bill, which goes to a joint Assembly-Senate conference committee.

Some prison money shifted to employees

CARSON CITY -- A Senate panel wants to divert some money from prisoner welfare to perks for Nevada prison staffers, such as Christmas parties, summer picnics and other goodies.

Finance Committee members voted Wednesday to approve Assembly Bill 289 with an amendment stating that revenue from vending machines in employee areas of the prison system can be used for employee purposes.

That's a major change in the bill, which emerged from the Assembly with a flat requirement that prison vending machine revenue be used for the benefit of inmates.

FOR THE RECORD

WORKERS COMP:Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa told an Assembly committee Wednesday she has "serious concerns" about the constitutionality of the proposal by Gov. Kenny Guinn to turn the state's 86-year-old workers compensation system to a private company. She predicted somebody would file a lawsuit if the bill was passed. She cited a 1980 legal opinion by then-Attorney General and now U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan that held any change in the state's industrial insurance system would have to be approved by the voters. However, the chief attorney for the Nevada Legislature and the Employers Insurance Company provided opinions that the move did not violate the Nevada Constitution.

FEWER BILLS NEXT YEAR:The Senate Legislative Affairs and Operations Committee has decided to cut down the number of bills allowed each session. Currently 2,100 bills can be requested by legislators, state agencies and local governments. This session, 1,700 bills were drafted and 1,200 introduced. The committee agreed Tuesday to lower the number allowed to 1,600 starting next session.

SAVING LIVES:The Senate unanimously passed legislation Wednesday that would remove liability from individuals using Automated External Defibrillators to save people's lives when they are in cardiac arrest. Assembly Bill 409 protects people from lawsuits if they are properly trained in the use of defibrillators. The bill goes to Gov. Kenny Guinn.

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