APPENDIX INTERIM STUDIES (2013-2015)

Study Concerning Governance and Funding of Community Colleges

SB 391, Chapter 494, Statutes of Nevada 2013

Section 1.     Legislative findings and declarations.

Sec. 2.          Creation of committee; membership; officers; duties; report.

Sec. 3.          Appointment of subcommittees.

Sec. 3.5.       Administrative and technical assistance.

 

Task Force on K-12 Public Education Funding

SB 500, Chapter 500, Statutes of Nevada 2013

Section 1.     Legislative findings and declarations. [Effective through June 30, 2015.]

Sec. 2.          Creation; membership; vacancies; meetings; officers; quorum; appointment of subcommittees and advisory committees; no compensation; administrative support. [Effective through June 30, 2015.]

Sec. 3.          Duties; report. [Effective through June 30, 2015.]

Sec. 4.          Time for appointing members. [Effective through June 30, 2015.]

 

Task Force to Study Issues Relating to Juvenile Justice

AB 202, Chapter 483, Statutes of Nevada 2013

Sec. 10.        Creation; membership; duties; allowances and expenses; alternate members; meetings; gifts, grants and donations; report.

 

Study Concerning Language Access in State Courts

AB 365, Chapter 308, Statutes of Nevada 2013

Sec. 10.        Duties of Advisory Commission on the Administration of Justice; appointment of subcommittee; report.

 

Study Concerning Detention and Incarceration

SB 107, Chapter 324, Statutes of Nevada 2013

Sec. 7.          Duties of Advisory Commission on the Administration of Justice.

 

Study Concerning Impact of Technology Upon Regulation of Gaming

AB 360, Chapter 508, Statutes of Nevada 2013

Sec. 15.        Creation; membership; officers; duties; report; compensation, allowances and expenses.

 

Study Concerning Methods to Promote Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics

SB 448, Chapter 267, Statutes of Nevada 2013

Sec. 2.          Duties of Legislative Committee on Health Care; report.

 

Nevada Land Management Task Force

AB 227, Chapter 299, Statutes of Nevada 2013

                      Preamble.

Section 1.     Creation; membership; vacancies; meetings; officers; allowances and expenses; administrative support; duties; reports. [Effective through June 30, 2015.]

Study Concerning Governance and Funding of Community Colleges

SB 391, Chapter 494, Statutes of Nevada 2013

      Section 1.  Legislative findings and declarations.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

      1.  The Nevada System of Higher Education, which is governed by the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada, encompasses several different types of institutions of higher education, including, without limitation, community colleges;

      2.  Community colleges are a key component of the State Plan for Economic Development developed by the Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development;

      3.  Certain community colleges have a regional presence for vast areas of rural Nevada;

      4.  Recent economic problems in this State highlight the need for community colleges to be responsive to the students, business communities and regions of this State that they serve; and

      5.  It is important to determine whether a new method of governing and funding community colleges in this State is necessary to improve and advance the purpose of the State’s community colleges.

      (Ch. 494, Stats. 2013 p. 3100)

      Sec. 2.  Creation of committees; membership; officers; duties; report.

      1.  The Legislative Commission shall appoint a committee to conduct an interim study concerning the governance structure of and funding methods for community colleges in this State.

      2.  The committee must be composed of six Legislators as follows:

      (a) Two members appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate;

      (b) Two members appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly;

      (c) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; and

      (d) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Assembly.

      3.  The Majority Leader of the Senate shall appoint a Chair and Vice Chair of the committee.

      4.  The committee shall consult with and solicit input from persons and organizations with expertise in matters relevant to the governance structures of and funding methods for community colleges in this State.

      5.  The committee shall submit a report of its findings, including, without limitation, any proposed changes to the governance structure of or funding methods for community colleges in this State and any recommendations for legislation, to the 78th Session of the Nevada Legislature.

      (Ch. 494, Stats. 2013 p. 3100)

      Sec. 3.  Appointment of subcommittees.  In studying the governance structures of and funding methods for community colleges in this State, the committee appointed pursuant to section 2 shall:

      1.  Appoint two or more subcommittees, which must include:

      (a) The Subcommittee on Governance and Funding, which consists of:

             (1) Three members who are members of the committee appointed pursuant to section 2 of this act, appointed by the Chair of the committee;

             (2) One member who is a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada, appointed by the Chair of the Board;

             (3) One member who is a representative of K-12 education, appointed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction;

             (4) Two members who are representatives of local governments, appointed by the Nevada Association of Counties, or its successor organization;

             (5) One member who is a representative of local governments, appointed by the Nevada League of Cities, or its successor organization; and

             (6) Any other members appointed by the Chair of the committee.

      (b) The Subcommittee on Academics and Workforce Alignment, which consists of:

             (1) Three members who are members of the committee appointed pursuant to section 2 of this act, appointed by the Chair of the committee;

             (2) One member who is a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada, appointed by the Chair of the Board;

             (3) Three members who are representatives of the business and economic development communities of this State, one of whom must be a representative of northern Nevada, one of whom must be a representative of southern Nevada and one of whom must be a representative of rural Nevada, appointed by the Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development;

             (4) One member who is a representative of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, appointed by the Director of the Department; and

             (5) Any other members appointed by the Chair of the committee.

      2.  Develop the mission and duties of each subcommittee appointed pursuant to subsection 1, which must include, without limitation:

      (a) Reviewing national best practices of governance of and funding methods for community colleges;

      (b) Examining effective relationships among local school districts, workforce development and community colleges and making recommendations concerning how this State can strengthen such relationships to improve student achievement;

      (c) Examining effective relationships between business and industry and community colleges and making recommendations concerning how this State can strengthen such relationships to better prepare students for entry into the workforce;

      (d) Reviewing the mission of each community college in this State, which must include a determination of whether, over the 10-year period immediately preceding the review, the mission of the community college has changed and whether changes to the academic programs of the community college have enhanced or undermined that mission; and

      (e) Determining whether it is advisable to transfer the administration of community colleges from the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada to another governmental entity and:

             (1) If such a transfer is determined to be advisable, determining the best methods of accomplishing the transfer; and

             (2) If such a transfer is determined not to be advisable, determining whether there are other options available that would improve the governance structure of and funding methods for community colleges.

      (Ch. 494, Stats. 2013 p. 3101)

      Sec. 3.5.  Administrative and technical assistance.  The Legislative Counsel Bureau and the Nevada System of Higher Education shall provide administrative and technical assistance to the committee appointed pursuant to section 2 of this act and its subcommittees as requested by the Chair of the committee.

      (Ch. 494, Stats. 2013 p. 3102)

Task Force on K-12 Public Education Funding

SB 500, Chapter 500, Statutes of Nevada 2013

      Section 1.  Legislative findings and declarations. [Effective through June 30, 2015.]  The Nevada Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

      1.  It is the intended goal of the Legislature to equitably fund public education in this State and ensure that the public education funding formula properly accounts for the needs of, and the costs to educate, pupils based upon the individual educational needs and demographic characteristics of pupils, including, without limitation, pupils from low-income families, pupils with disabilities and pupils who have limited proficiency in the English language.

      2.  The Legislature seeks to revise the formula used to fund public education in Nevada to account for pupils with varying educational needs and demographic characteristics in each school district in this State.

      (Ch. 500, Stats. 2013 p. 3182)

      Sec. 2.  Creation; membership; vacancies; meetings; officers; quorum; appointment of subcommittees and advisory committees; no compensation; administrative support. [Effective through June 30, 2015.]

      1.  The Task Force on K-12 Public Education Funding is hereby created. The Task Force consists of:

      (a) The Superintendent of Public Instruction or his or her designee;

      (b) The Director of the State Public Charter School Authority or his or her designee;

      (c) One member appointed by the Nevada Association of School Superintendents, in consultation with the Nevada Association of School Administrators;

      (d) One member appointed by the Nevada Association of School Boards;

      (e) One member appointed by the Nevada Parent Teacher Association;

      (f) One member appointed by the Nevada State Education Association;

      (g) Two members appointed by the Governor, one of whom is a financial officer of a county school district and one of whom is a parent or legal guardian of a pupil enrolled in a public school in this State;

      (h) One member appointed by the Advisory Council on Parental Involvement and Family Engagement;

      (i) Two members appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate as follows:

             (1) One Senator; and

             (2) One person who is a current or former licensed educator;

      (j) Two members appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly as follows:

             (1) One Assemblyman or Assemblywoman; and

             (2) One person who is a current or former licensed educator;

      (k) One member of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; and

      (l) One member of the Assembly appointed by the Minority Leader of the Assembly.

      2.  In appointing members of the Task Force pursuant to subsection 1, the appointing authorities shall coordinate the appointments, to the extent practicable, so that the members of the Task Force represent the geographic and ethnic diversity of this State.

      3.  Any vacancy occurring in the appointed membership of the Task Force must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment not later than 30 days after the vacancy occurs.

      4.  The Task Force shall hold its first meeting as soon as practicable on or after July 1, 2013, upon the call of the Governor. At the first meeting of the Task Force, the members of the Task Force shall elect a Chair, who must be either a Senator or an Assemblyman or Assemblywoman.

      5.  Including the first meeting held pursuant to subsection 4, the Task Force shall meet not more than six times each year at the call of the Chair.

      6.  A majority of the members of the Task Force constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business, and a majority of those members present at any meeting is sufficient for any official action taken by the Task Force.

      7.  The Chair of the Task Force may appoint such subcommittees from within or outside the membership of the Task Force as the Chair determines necessary to carry out the duties of the Task Force.

      8.  The Chair of the Task Force shall appoint a technical advisory committee consisting of persons who have knowledge, experience or expertise in K-12 public school finance as follows:

      (a) One representative of the Clark County School District;

      (b) One representative of the Washoe County School District;

      (c) One representative of a county school district other than the Clark County School District or the Washoe County School District; and

      (d) Any other persons who have knowledge, experience or expertise in the area of K-12 public school finance.

      9.  The members of the Task Force, a subcommittee of the Task Force and the technical advisory committee serve without compensation.

      10.  The Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau shall provide administrative support to the Task Force.

      (Ch. 500, Stats. 2013 p. 3182)

      Sec. 3.  Duties; report. [Effective through June 30, 2015.]

      1.  The Task Force on K-12 Public Education Funding created by section 2 of this act shall:

      (a) Conduct a review of the report entitled “Study of a New Method of Funding for Public Schools in Nevada” published by the American Institutes for Research on September 25, 2012;

      (b) Survey the weighted pupil public education funding formulas which are used in other states;

      (c) Develop a plan for revising and implementing Nevada’s public education funding formula in a manner which equitably accounts for the needs of, and the costs to educate, pupils based upon the individual educational needs and demographic characteristics of pupils, including, without limitation, pupils from low-income families, pupils with disabilities and pupils who have limited proficiency in the English language through a weighted funding formula; and

      (d) Not later than June 30, 2014, prepare a written report to the Governor and the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the 78th Session of the Nevada Legislature which includes recommendations for implementing the plan developed pursuant to paragraph (c) for Nevada’s public education funding formula in the executive budget prepared for the 2015-2017 biennium.

      2.  The Task Force, a subcommittee of the Task Force or the technical advisory committee of the Task Force may seek the input, advice and assistance of persons and organizations with the knowledge, interest or expertise relevant to the duties of the Task Force.

      (Ch. 500, Stats. 2013 p. 3183)

      Sec. 4.  Time for appointing members. [Effective through June 30, 2015.]  As soon as practicable after the effective date of this act but not later than July 1, 2013, the members of the Task Force on K-12 Public Education Funding must be appointed as prescribed by section 2 of this act.

      (Ch. 500, Stats. 2013 p. 3184)

Task Force to Study Issues Relating to Juvenile Justice

AB 202, Chapter 483, Statutes of Nevada 2013

      Sec. 10.  Creation; membership; duties; allowances and expenses; alternate members; meetings; gifts, grants and donations; report.

      1.  The Legislative Committee on Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice created by NRS 218E.705 shall create a task force to study certain issues relating to juvenile justice in accordance with the provisions of this section.

      2.  The Chair of the Legislative Committee on Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice shall appoint to the task force the following 10 voting members:

      (a) One member of the Senate or Assembly, who shall serve as Chair of the task force.

      (b) One member who is a district attorney.

      (c) One member who is a public defender.

      (d) One member from the Office of the Attorney General.

      (e) One member from the Division of Child and Family Services of the Department of Health and Human Services.

      (f) One member who is a judge of the juvenile court.

      (g) One member who is a director of juvenile services, as defined in NRS 62A.080.

      (h) One member who is a mental health professional.

      (i) One member who is a representative from an organization that advocates on behalf of juveniles.

      (j) The Director of the Department of Corrections.

      3.  The task force shall study the following issues and make its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation:

      (a) The laws in this State and other states, including an examination of best practices, pertaining to certification of juveniles as adults and offenses excluded from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.

      (b) The advantages and disadvantages of blended sentencing.

      (c) The ability of adult correctional facilities and institutions to provide appropriate housing and programming for youthful offenders who are convicted of crimes as adults and incarcerated in adult facilities and institutions.

      (d) The ability of juvenile detention facilities to provide appropriate housing and programming for youthful offenders who are convicted of crimes as adults and detained in juvenile detention facilities.

      (e) The costs and benefits of housing juvenile offenders who are convicted of crimes as adults in adult correctional facilities and institutions and in juvenile detention facilities.

      (f) Proposed legislation that is necessary to implement any necessary or desirable changes in Nevada law relating to the issues set forth in this subsection.

      4.  The members of the task force, other than the Chair of the task force, serve without compensation, except that each such member is entitled, while engaged in the business of the task force and within the limits of available money, to the per diem allowance and travel expenses provided for state officers and employees generally.

      5.  Not later than 30 days after appointment, each member of the task force, other than the Chair of the task force, shall nominate one person to serve as his or her alternate member and submit the name of the person nominated to the Chair of the task force for appointment. An alternate member shall serve as a voting member of the task force when the appointed member who nominated the alternate member is disqualified or unable to serve.

      6.  The members of the task force shall hold not more than four meetings at the call of the Chair of the task force.

      7.  To the extent that money is available, including, without limitation, money from gifts, grants and donations, the Committee may fund the costs of the task force.

      8.  The Committee shall submit a report of the findings of the task force and its recommendations for legislation to the 78th Session of the Nevada Legislature.

      (Ch. 483, Stats. 2013 p. 2903)

Study Concerning Language Access in State Courts

AB 365, Chapter 308, Statutes of Nevada 2013

      Sec. 10.  Duties of Advisory Commission on the Administration of Justice; appointment of subcommittee; report.

      1.  The Advisory Commission on the Administration of Justice created pursuant to NRS 176.0123 shall appoint a subcommittee to conduct an interim study concerning language access in the courts of the State of Nevada, and make a report thereof.

      2.  The study and report must include, without limitation:

      (a) An evaluation of:

             (1) The current system used in this State to provide court interpreters in criminal and civil proceedings;

             (2) The systems used in other states to provide court interpreters in criminal and civil proceedings; and

             (3) The current condition of federal and state laws regarding the provision of court interpreters in criminal and civil proceedings.

      (b) Recommendations regarding, without limitation:

             (1) Necessary statutory changes to facilitate language access in the courts;

             (2) Necessary statutory changes to comply with any federal law related to language access in the courts; and

             (3) Methods for raising any revenue necessary to provide court interpreters in criminal and civil proceedings or to increase language access in the courts.

      3.  The subcommittee shall submit a report of the results of the study and any recommendations for legislation to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmission to the 78th Session of the Nevada Legislature and the Supreme Court.

      (Ch. 308, Stats. 2013 p. 1462)

Study Concerning Detention and Incarceration

SB 107, Chapter 324, Statutes of Nevada 2013

      Sec. 7.  Duties of Advisory Commission on the Administration of Justice.  The Advisory Commission on the Administration of Justice created pursuant to NRS 176.0123 shall, during the 2013-2014 interim, conduct a study concerning detention and incarceration in this State. The study must include, without limitation, an evaluation of:

      1.  Procedures regarding placement in, and release from, protective segregation, administrative segregation, disciplinary segregation, disciplinary detention, corrective room restriction and solitary confinement;

      2.  Security threat group identification, including, without limitation, any information relating to gang activity;

      3.  Notification of release and release procedures;

      4.  Access provided to children, offenders and prisoners confined in protective segregation, administrative segregation, disciplinary segregation, disciplinary detention, corrective room restriction or solitary confinement to:

      (a) Mental health services;

      (b) Audio and visual media for appropriate mental stimulation;

      (c) Daily contact with staff;

      (d) Health care services;

      (e) Substance abuse programs and services;

      (f) Reentry resources and transitional programs and services;

      (g) Programs and services for offenders and prisoners who are veterans;

      (h) Educational programming; and

      (i) Other programs and services that are available to the general population;

      5.  The amount of specialized training provided to staff who interact with children, offenders and prisoners who are confined in protective segregation, administrative segregation, disciplinary segregation, disciplinary detention, corrective room restriction or solitary confinement;

      6.  The number of children, offenders and prisoners confined in protective segregation, administrative segregation, disciplinary segregation, disciplinary detention, corrective room restriction or solitary confinement who were referred to mental health professionals;

      7.  The number of children, offenders and prisoners in the general population who were referred to mental health professionals;

      8.  The number of children, offenders and prisoners confined in protective segregation, administrative segregation, disciplinary segregation, disciplinary detention, corrective room restriction or solitary confinement who have a mental health diagnosis;

      9.  The number of children, offenders and prisoners in the general population who have a mental health diagnosis;

      10.  The number of suicides and suicide attempts during the years of 2010, 2011 and 2012 among children, offenders and prisoners who are confined in protective segregation, administrative segregation, disciplinary segregation, disciplinary detention, corrective room restriction or solitary confinement;

      11.  The number of suicides and suicide attempts during the years of 2010, 2011 and 2012 among children, offenders and prisoners in the general population;

      12.  The number of reviews conducted by facilities concerning the placement of a child, offender or prisoner in protective segregation, administrative segregation, disciplinary segregation, disciplinary detention, corrective room restriction or solitary confinement that resulted in the child, offender or prisoner being transferred to the general population;

      13.  The average length of time children, offenders and prisoners were continuously confined in protective segregation, administrative segregation, disciplinary segregation, disciplinary detention, corrective room restriction or solitary confinement, categorized by age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and classification of the offense;

      14.  The longest and shortest length of time a child, offender or prisoner was continuously confined in protective segregation, administrative segregation, disciplinary segregation, disciplinary detention, corrective room restriction or solitary confinement, categorized by age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and classification of the offense;

      15.  A summary of the reasons for which children, offenders and prisoners were placed in protective segregation, administrative segregation, disciplinary segregation, disciplinary detention, corrective room restriction or solitary confinement;

      16.  The rate of recidivism among children, offenders and prisoners who were confined in protective segregation, administrative segregation, disciplinary segregation, disciplinary detention, corrective room restriction or solitary confinement at any time before release or discharge;

      17.  The rate of recidivism among children, offenders and prisoners who were never confined in protective segregation, administrative segregation, disciplinary segregation, disciplinary detention, corrective room restriction or solitary confinement;

      18.  The number of children, offenders and prisoners who were confined in protective segregation, administrative segregation, disciplinary segregation, disciplinary detention, corrective room restriction or solitary confinement immediately before being discharged from detention, including those discharged to parole or mandatory supervision; and

      19.  A calculation of the cost per day of confining a child, offender and prisoner in protective segregation, administrative segregation, disciplinary segregation, disciplinary detention, corrective room restriction or solitary confinement.

      (Ch. 324, Stats. 2013 p. 1522)

Study Concerning Impact of Technology Upon Regulation of Gaming

AB 360, Chapter 508, Statutes of Nevada 2013

      Sec. 15.  Creation; membership; officers; duties; report; compensation, allowances and expenses.

      1.  The Legislative Commission shall create a committee to conduct an interim study concerning the impact of technology upon the regulation of gaming and upon the distinction between restricted and nonrestricted gaming licensees.

      2.  The committee created by the Legislative Commission to conduct the study must be composed of six voting members and seven nonvoting members, appointed and designated as follows:

      (a) The Legislative Commission shall appoint three voting members of the Senate, at least one of whom must be a member of the minority political party.

      (b) The Legislative Commission shall appoint three voting members of the Assembly, at least one of whom must be a member of the minority political party.

      (c) The Legislative Commission shall appoint five nonvoting members, with one member representing each of the following:

             (1) Manufacturers or developers of gaming technology;

             (2) Entities engaged in the business of interactive gaming;

             (3) Restricted gaming licensees;

             (4) Nonrestricted gaming licensees; and

             (5) Operators of race books and sports pools.

      (d) The Chair of the Nevada Gaming Commission and the Chair of the State Gaming Control Board serve ex officio as nonvoting members of the committee.

      3.  The Legislative Commission shall appoint a Chair from among the voting members of the committee.

      4.  The committee shall study, without limitation:

      (a) The impact of modern and evolving technology upon gaming and the regulation of gaming;

      (b) Interactive gaming in Nevada and other jurisdictions, and any proposed or enacted federal legislation in this area;

      (c) The regulatory distinction between restricted and nonrestricted licensure, and the impact of technology upon this distinction;

      (d) The determination of whether the operation of slot machines is incidental to the primary business of a restricted gaming licensee, and minimum requirements that are or should be imposed upon such businesses;

      (e) The effect of expanding capability of personal and portable electronic devices upon gaming and the regulation of gaming;

      (f) The potential effects and consequences of authorizing the acceptance of race book and sports pool wagers made by an entity; and

      (g) The effect of legislation approved by the 77th Session of the Nevada Legislature with regard to gaming and the regulation of gaming.

      5.  The Legislative Commission shall submit a report of the findings of the committee, including, without limitation, any recommendations for legislation, to the 78th Session of the Nevada Legislature.

      6.  For each day or portion of a day during which a member of the committee who is a Legislator attends a meeting of the committee or is otherwise engaged in the business of the committee, the Legislator is entitled to receive the:

      (a) Compensation provided for a majority of the members of the Legislature during the first 60 days of the preceding regular session;

      (b) Per diem allowance provided for state officers generally; and

      (c) Travel expenses provided pursuant to NRS 218A.655.

Ê The compensation, per diem allowances and travel expenses of the members of the committee who are Legislators must be paid from the Legislative Fund.

      (Ch. 508, Stats. 2013 p. 3318)

Study Concerning Methods to Promote Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics

SB 448, Chapter 267, Statutes of Nevada 2013

      Sec. 2.  Duties of Legislative Committee on Health Care; report.

      1.  As part of its review of health care during the 2013-2015 legislative interim, the Legislative Committee on Health Care shall consider methods to promote federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics in this State which must include, without limitation, consideration of:

      (a) The strategies used by other states that have had success with federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics and whether those strategies could be used to increase the number of federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics in this State.

      (b) The locations in this State which have been designated as medically underserved urban or rural communities and which would benefit from federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics.

      (c) The likely impacts of establishing one or more new or existing facilities as federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics, including, without limitation, the economic impacts and the impacts on access to primary care services for recipients of Medicare and Medicaid, the underinsured and the uninsured.

      (d) The types of federal benefits and federal funding options that are available to support the establishment of federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics.

      (e) The feasibility of a county or district hospital establishing one or more new or existing facilities as federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics to enhance the provision of primary care services in any medically underserved urban or rural communities in the county or district, respectively.

      2.  On or before February 2, 2015, the Legislative Committee on Health Care shall submit to the Legislature a written report concerning its consideration of the methods to promote federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics in this State, which must include, without limitation, any recommendations for legislation.

      3.  As used in this section:

      (a) “Federally qualified health center” has the meaning ascribed to it in 42 U.S.C. § 1396d(l)(2)(B).

      (b) “Rural health clinic” has the meaning ascribed to it in 42 U.S.C. § 1395x(aa)(2).

      (Ch. 267, Stats. 2013 p. 1219)

Nevada Land Management Task Force

AB 227, Chapter 299, Statutes of Nevada 2013

      Preamble.

      Whereas, Unlike the eastern states that received dominion over their lands upon joining the Union, the western states have been placed in an inferior position as a result of the Federal Government withholding a significant portion of land from those states as a condition of admission to the Union; and

      Whereas, According to the Congressional Research Service, as of 2010, the Federal Government manages and controls approximately 640 million acres, or about 28 percent of the 2.27 billion acres, of land in the United States; and

      Whereas, The highest concentration of land managed and controlled by the Federal Government is in Alaska (61.8 percent) and the 11 coterminous western states, namely Arizona (42.3 percent), California (47.7 percent), Colorado (36.2 percent), Idaho (61.7 percent), Montana (28.9 percent), Nevada (81.1 percent), New Mexico (34.7 percent), Oregon (53.0 percent), Utah (66.5 percent), Washington (28.5 percent) and Wyoming (48.2 percent); and

      Whereas, In contrast, the Federal Government only manages and controls 4 percent of the land in the states east of those western states; and

      Whereas, The state with the highest percentage of lands within its boundaries that is managed and controlled by the Federal Government is Nevada, with over 80 percent of its lands being managed and controlled by various federal agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the United States Forest Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Energy; and

      Whereas, Increased control by the State of Nevada over the public lands within its borders would benefit the residents of Nevada significantly by allowing the State to balance the economic, recreational and other critical interests of its residents, with special emphasis on the multiple uses that are allowed presently on the public lands; and

      Whereas, In March 2012, legislation was enacted in the State of Utah that, among other things, requires the Federal Government to turn over management and control of the public lands in Utah to the State of Utah and requires the study of various issues that may arise during such a transfer; and

      Whereas, Other western states are considering the enactment of similar laws and momentum is building towards the Federal Government turning over management and control of certain public lands to the western states; and

      Whereas, In light of the magnitude of federal management and control of public lands in Nevada, a study by the State of Nevada, in contemplation of Congress turning over the management and control of public lands in Nevada to the State of Nevada on or before June 30, 2015, would assist in ensuring that the transfer proceeds in a timely and orderly manner; now therefore

      (Ch. 299, Stats. 2013 p. 1406)

      Section 1.  Creation; membership; vacancies; meetings; officers; allowances and expenses; administrative support; duties; reports. [Effective through June 30, 2015.]

      1.  The Nevada Land Management Task Force, consisting of 17 members, is hereby created. Within 30 days after the effective date of this act, the board of county commissioners of each county shall appoint one member to the Task Force.

      2.  A vacancy on the Task Force must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

      3.  The Task Force shall hold its first meeting on or before July 1, 2013. At the first meeting, the Task Force shall elect a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members.

      4.  While engaged in the business of the Task Force, each member of the Task Force is entitled to receive such per diem allowance and travel expenses as provided by the board of county commissioners that appointed the member. Each board of county commissioners shall pay the per diem allowance and travel expenses required by this subsection to the member that is appointed by that board of county commissioners.

      5.  The board of county commissioners of each county, in conjunction with the Nevada Association of Counties, shall provide such administrative support to the Task Force as is necessary to carry out the duties of the Task Force.

      6.  The Task Force shall conduct a study to address the transfer of public lands in Nevada from the Federal Government to the State of Nevada in contemplation of Congress turning over the management and control of those public lands to the State of Nevada on or before June 30, 2015. The study must include, without limitation:

      (a) An identification of the public lands to be transferred and the interests, rights and uses associated with those lands;

      (b) The development of a proposed plan for the administration, management and use of the public lands, including, without limitation, the designation of wilderness or other conservation areas or the sale, lease or other disposition of those lands; and

      (c) An economic analysis concerning the transfer of the public lands, including, without limitation:

             (1) The identification of the costs directly incident to the transfer of title of those lands;

             (2) The identification of sources of revenue to pay for the administration and maintenance of those lands by the State of Nevada;

             (3) A determination of the amount of any revenue that is currently received by the State of Nevada or a political subdivision of this State in connection with those lands, including, without limitation, any payments made in lieu of taxes and mineral leases; and

             (4) The identification of any potential revenue to be received from those lands by the State of Nevada after the transfer of the lands and recommendations for the distribution of those revenues.

      7.  The Task Force shall report periodically to the Legislative Committee on Public Lands established by NRS 218E.510 concerning the activities of the Task Force.

      8.  On or before September 1, 2014, the Task Force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislative Committee on Public Lands for inclusion in the final report of that Committee for the 2013-2014 legislative interim. During the 78th Session of the Nevada Legislature, one or more members of the Task Force must be available, upon request, to present the recommendations of the Task Force to the Legislature or the appropriate standing committees with jurisdiction over public lands matters.

      (Ch. 299, Stats. 2013 p. 1407)