Bills on teacher evaluations, school bus seat belts among measures awaiting action

By Yvonne Gonzalez

Wednesday, May 17, 2017 | 2 a.m.

CARSON CITY — Bills on teacher performance and school bus safety are among measures requiring action this week to stay alive past Friday.

Committees of lawmakers are moving bills as they approach one of their final major deadlines this legislative session. One piece of legislation to clear that hurdle is Senate Bill 106, which seeks to raise the minimum wage to $12 per hour over a five-year period, while others, such as a measure on the illegal wildlife trade, wait for action.

Five bills to watch this week:

Illegal ivory

Senate Bill 194 creates state penalties for trading in illegal ivory or other products made from poached animals. The measure was pushed from an Assembly committee work session on Tuesday and is expected to be discussed Thursday.

Teacher evaluations

Assembly Bill 320 would have educators evaluated using scores from student assessments that are determined by principals and teachers, rather than statewide tests. Senate Education Committee members have heard the bill, but have yet to vote on it.

Prostitution

Assembly Bill 260 would penalize illegal sex buyers and allow suspended sentences for defendants who finish “john school,” or treatment programs for people who solicit prostitution. A Senate committee has heard the bill without voting on it.

“Ban the box”

Assembly Bill 384 would generally eliminate the consideration of criminal histories for state job applicants until after a conditional employment offer has been made, among other provisions. The bill is up for a May 17 work session in a Senate committee.

School bus seat belts

Assembly Bill 485 requires that new buses purchased by districts and private schools after July 1, 2019, must be equipped with seat belts. It’s been heard by the Senate transportation committee but not voted on.