Sandoval address, revenue update coming this week

CARSON CITY -- The week ahead holds a full slate of activities in Nevada politics, including a televised address from the governor, the release of updated revenue projections and new details on the planned special election to replace U.S. Rep. Dean Heller.

Gov. Brian Sandoval will discuss the state budget and the legislative session that enters its 13th week Monday during his address. His speech, scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, will come a day after updated revenue projections are released.

The Economic Forum meets Monday in Carson City to review current trends in tax revenues. At the end of the day, the independent panel of financial experts will forecast how much money each revenue source will bring in during the next two years.

Under state law, those projections must be used to set the budget. Any programs or services that exceed the forecast must include a new funding source, though Sandoval has promised to veto any bill that raises taxes or fees.

Also Monday, Secretary of State Ross Miller will hold a news conference to discuss details on the Sept. 13 special election to fill the seat that will be left vacant by Heller in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District. Heller was appointed to replace resigning U.S. Sen. John Ensign.

State law says a special election must be held to fill a House vacancy; however, statutes are vague on whether anyone can run for the seat or whether political party central committees can pick their candidate. Whatever Miller decides, lawsuits are likely.

Also Monday, the Senate Government Affairs Committee will consider several bills involving Nevada's Open Meeting Law, as well as a bill authorizing a study on substance abuse.

Assembly Government Affairs will take up SB384, which would allow local governments to set up rules for selling naming rights to public facilities.

On Tuesday, Assembly Judiciary will consider three bills dealing with drunken driving offenses, while the Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees hold a joint meeting to close budgets for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Senate Judiciary will hear testimony on AB273, which deals with foreclosures and short sales, while Assembly Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining will discuss bills dealing with cruelty to animals and trapping of fur-bearing animals.

Legislative Operations and Elections committees in both the Senate and Assembly are expected to hold hearings on reapportionment. Democrats and Republicans released their proposed maps for realigning state voting districts Thursday, and legislative leaders said hearings would be scheduled this week, though the hearings were not immediately posted on the advance legislative calendar.

On Wednesday, Assembly Judiciary takes up bills governing parole. Senate Judiciary considers AB6, which would allow victims of sex trafficking and forced prostitution to have criminal prostitution convictions removed from their records.

Bills involving water rights will be discussed by the Assembly Government Affairs Committee.

On Thursday, Assembly Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining hears SJR3, a resolution urging the federal government to convey more land to the state to help fund education.

The money committees hold a joint hearing Friday to close budgets for aging and disability services and the state health division. Senate Judiciary that day will consider bills involving probation and sentence-reducing credits for inmates.

Nevada's 120-day legislative session began Feb. 7 and ends June 6.