More than 120 bills introduced in Legislature today — so far

CARSON CITY — Equal rights, voter rights, right to die, divorce, sex education and campaign laws were among throngs of bills introduced in the Nevada Legislature on Monday, the deadline for lawmakers to get their individually sponsored measures into the 2015 legislative hopper.

But the first course of business in the Senate was approval of a resolution to suspend its own rules and extend the deadline until Tuesday to allow legislative bill drafters time to catch up if needed.

Still, it was a long day with several floor sessions held to get bills introduced as they became available.

More than 70 bills were introduced in the first floor sessions of the day, and more than 50 were introduced in a second, evening floor session in the Senate.

Senate Bill 336, a bipartisan bill introduced by state Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, would enact a “right to die” law and allow a physician to prescribe life-ending medication to terminally ill patients.

Senate Joint Resolution 16 would ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution four decades after the measure was first considered in Nevada. The proposed constitutional amendment fell three states short of the 38 needed to win ratification by a 1979 deadline that Congress later extended to 1982.

While the move has largely stalled, there is hope by supporters that Congress would again extend the deadline should other states take steps to push for ratification. SJR16 was introduced by state Sen. Pat Spearman, D-North Las Vegas.

“We could be the 36th state to do so and the first in the 21st Century,” Spearman said.

A bill introduced by Assembly Speaker John Hambrick, R-Las Vegas, would give new meaning to the term “quickie divorce” in Nevada.

Assembly Bill 337 would do away with a six-week residency requirement to grant a divorce. Instead, divorces could be approved with virtually no delay at all. Hambrick said he will be amending the bill to require only a few days to establish residency to obtain a divorce.

Hambrick said the change could again make Nevada a mecca for divorce business, particularly in Clark County. Some states still have a one-year residency requirement before a divorce could be granted, he said.

Other bills of interest introduced Monday:

VOTING

Senate Joint Resolution 15 seeks to amend the Nevada Constitution to require voters to show photo identification to cast a ballot. It’s one of several voter ID measures pending this legislative session. Another bill introduced Monday, Senate Bill 316, would extend voter registration periods and allow same-day registration at special locations on Election Day.

EDUCATION

Senate Bill 290, sponsored by Republican lawmakers, would repeal Common Core education standards, while Senate Bill 295, introduced by Democratic lawmakers, seeks to require minimal computer instruction as a condition of graduation. Materials used in sex education classes would have to be posted on the Internet and available to parents before a school board authorizes their use under Senate Bill 301.

CAMPAIGN

Senate Bill 293, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson of Henderson and fellow Republicans Sen. Greg Brower and Assemblyman Pat Hickey, both of Reno, seeks to require candidates who raise money but don’t appear on a ballot to dispose of unspent campaign funds within two years, and require former public officials to dispose of unused contribution by Sept. 30, 2017.

Senate Bill 307, also sponsored by Roberson, seeks to tighten gifts to lawmakers by lobbyists and clarify reporting requirements.

SMOKING

Assembly Bill 322, introduced by Assemblyman Mike Sprinkle, D-Sparks, would prohibit smoking in any vehicle occupied by a minor under age 18, whether it was moving or parked. A violation could result in a $25 fine. Sprinkle said the dangers of second-hand smoke have been established and minors should not be subjected to smokers in such a confined space. Sprinkle said he does not object to the right of individuals otherwise to smoke.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Senate Bill 328, sponsored by state Sen. Patricia Farley and others, seeks to require health insurer to provide detailed information on prescription drug coverage and costs. Farley said many people living with chronic conditions cannot find information to confirm their medications are covered. The goal of the bill is to allow patients to search for search for coverage by prescription drug.

Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801. Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901. Find her on Twitter: @SandraChereb