Legislator seeks state work cards

CARSON CITY -- The tasks of getting a police work card needed for casino employment could become identical statewide if a Reno legislator's plans are successful.

Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, in announcing her plans to run for a second term Tuesday, said she intends to ask the 2001 Legislature to standardize the process.

Leslie, who works as grants administrator for Washoe County, said she wants to consolidate the gaming work cards so one would be good across the state.

Not only would workers with cards issued by Washoe County have to obtain a new work card if they move to Las Vegas, she said they would have to go through the process again if they took jobs in Reno or Sparks, cities within Washoe County.

A similar situation exists in Southern Nevada. An employee with a work card issued by Metro Police for casinos in its jurisdiction -- the city of Las Vegas or unincorporated Clark County -- would have to get a new card from the Henderson Police for a job in that city.

Leslie said she would like to see work cards -- which currently cost from $5 to $74 -- issued so that they would be good for wherever a casino worker landed a job.

She said she has found that in some rural counties the work card is good forever, while in other counties it must be renewed every two or three years.

Leslie has talked to the Nevada Resort Association and police and sheriff's departments, and said she was "somewhat hopeful" the legislation will pass.

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