Legislature to hear Reid on Tuesday

CARSON CITY -- U.S. Sen. Harry Reid will address a joint session of the Senate and Assembly during the third week of the Nevada Legislature that begins today.

Lawmakers during the week also will take up bills dealing with cell phones, occupational diseases, courts, education, election ballots and special legislative sessions.

Reid, the Senate Democratic majority leader, won re-election to a fifth term in November against Tea Party-backed Republican Sharron Angle. He is scheduled to address lawmakers at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Assembly chambers.

Today, the Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees will review the budget proposals for the attorney general's office and state treasurer.

Money committees also will review the prison budget Tuesday; Medicaid, Commission on Tourism and the Public Employee Benefits' Program on Wednesday; K-12 education and the Department of Motor Vehicles on Thursday; and the secretary of state's office on Friday.

The Senate Government Affairs Committee today will consider procedures for imposing emergency regulations and Senate Bill 92, which would allow government redevelopment to be used to improve schools.

CRIMES AGAINST THE ELDERLY

The Assembly Judiciary Committee today will consider expanding bills dealing with crimes against the elderly. Assembly Bill 126 would include neglect, abuse or isolation committed against persons defined as "vulnerable" as crimes to be investigated by the attorney general. Also, Assembly Government Affairs will consider AB61, which establishes a permanent working group on substance abuse within the attorney general's office.

A law to assist relatives who become legal guardians of children in foster care will be considered today by the Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services. AB110 would require the establishment of the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program.

The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will take up SB113, requiring foster homes to develop plans to care for children during a disaster.

Assembly Commerce and Labor will consider occupational diseases for public safety workers. AB131 would eliminate an existing provision in state law that firefighters, police and other public safety workers must be incapacitated for at least five days within a 20-day period to receive disability compensation. Another bill, AB141, would expand from one year to two the frequency in which volunteer firefighters 50 or older must have a physical examination in order to qualify for workers' compensation for heart disease, which is considered an occupational disease.

The Assembly Education Committee today will review AB138, a bill aimed at better preparing high school students for college and the workplace.

On Tuesday, Assembly Judiciary will consider bills involving adoption procedures and human trafficking. AB112 would allow a charge of conspiracy as an underlying offense for crimes involving forced prostitution and enhance penalties for living off the earnings of a prostitute if violence or threats is used, or the victim is a child.

Senate Judiciary that day will consider bills involving juveniles and warrants in child custody cases.

Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections will consider AB99, which would change the way names are listed on election ballots. The committee will also consider an Assembly joint resolution from the 2009 session, which would give lawmakers authority to convene special sessions on their own. Under existing law, only the governor can call a special session.

Senate Transportation will take up two bills dealing with cell phones Tuesday. SB140 prohibits using a handheld cell phone while driving. SB 145 is specific to teen drivers.

Clark County would be required to designate and construct 15 more bus turnouts under SB137, to be heard by Senate Government Affairs on Wednesday.

Assembly Judiciary that day will take up bills giving the attorney general's office subpoena powers in Medicaid fraud cases. Another bill, AB96, would prevent courts from ordering psychological or psychiatric examinations of a victim or witness to an alleged sexual assault.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

Senate Judiciary will consider bills revising how many justices of the peace are required in Clark County, and a bill sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, to create a 10th judicial district in his home county of Churchill.

The Senate Select Committee on Economic Growth and Employment on Wednesday will consider SB75, a bill that would establish a corporation for public benefit to provide private equity funding for certain businesses.

Las Vegas casino executive Elaine Wynn and Nevada chancellor Dan Klaich will testify Wednesday before the Assembly and Education committees on the Education Blue Ribbon Task Force, a panel assembled by former Gov. Jim Gibbons.

Justice Court fees and overall court security will be discussed Thursday by Assembly Judiciary, while Assembly Natural Resources Agriculture and Mining takes up fishing licenses and sage grouse.

Senate Natural Resources hears a presentation Friday from Nevada mining representatives.