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2-Minute Preview: Committee deadlines, gifts to legislators and marijuana

Michelle Rindels
Michelle Rindels
Riley Snyder
Riley Snyder
LegislatureMarijuana
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Dozens of bills are up for votes in committees on Thursday, a day before bills must pass out of their first committee or die, with certain exceptions.

Lawmakers will vote on measures that impose a governor-backed tax on newly legal recreational marijuana and extend the lifespan of driver authorization cards for immigrants. And with less than 48 hours to go before the first committee deadline, agendas and planned committee actions can change quickly.

But as of Wednesday night, here’s a look at what’s on the agenda for Thursday:

Votes on votes on votes

Expect another rush of last minute bill approvals on Thursday, with nearly 60 measures set for a committee vote in both the Assembly and Senate.

Expect long meetings in the Assembly Government Affairs Committee with 12 bills up for a hearing or vote, 15 measures up in the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and 15 bills scheduled for a vote or hearing in the Senate Committee on Education. But those numbers may not be final, because the Legislature isn’t subject to state Open Meeting Law and the required three day notice on posting agendas, meaning committee chairs can bring up other bills not listed on the agenda or move bills already listed.

Allowing small gifts from lobbyists

Democratic Assemblyman Skip Daly wants to ease a strict ban on gifts from lobbyists to legislators.

Daly’s bill, AB396, would allow lobbyists to buy lawmakers a meal or beverage if it didn’t cost more than $20 and came from a single source on a single calendar day. It would also allow small gifts that don’t exceed $10.

The ban emerged in 2015 from Republican Sen. Michael Roberson, but critics say it prevents the kinds of dinner meetings and friendly interactions that are part of the normal legislative process.

Watch for the vote at 1:30 p.m. in the Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections Committee.

Driver authorization cards last longer

Cards that allow immigrants who may not in the country legally permission to drive only last for one year. AB322, a bill backed by Democratic Assemblyman Edgar Flores, would extend the validity of those cards to the length of a regular driver’s license — either four or eight years.

The cards require proof of identity and proof of Nevada residency, which is a less stringent requirement than those for a Real ID license. The driver authorization cards aren’t valid for boarding a plane, registering to vote or applying for government benefits.

Watch for the vote at 3:15 p.m. in the Assembly Transportation Committee.

Governor’s proposed marijuana tax

Lawmakers will weigh in on SB508, a bill that implements Gov. Brian Sandoval’s plan of supporting the state education budget with anticipated marijuana revenue.

The bill imposes a 10 percent excise tax on each retail sale of recreational marijuana or marijuana products. The proceeds will go to the Distributive School Account.

Watch the vote at 3:30 p.m. in the Senate Revenue and Economic Development Committee.

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