Nevada Legislature: Assembly OKs ‘Safe-to-Tell’ program for bullying reports

Assembly OKs ‘Safe-to-Tell’ program for bullying reports

The Nevada Assembly has passed a bill creating a “Safe-to-Tell” program that allows people to anonymously report dangerous or illegal activity happening at a school.

Assembly members voted 35-6 on Saturday in favor of SB338, which is sponsored by Democratic Sen. Debbie Smith. Some Republicans opposed the measure.

The bill unanimously passed in the Senate, but senators still need to give final approval to an Assembly amendment.

The measure creates the program within the state’s new anti-bullying office, and allows for a confidential hotline people can use to make reports.

Education initiatives headed for Sandoval’s desk

Several of Gov. Brian Sandoval’s major education bills are now headed for his signature.

The Nevada Senate gave final approval Saturday to SB391, which creates the Read by 3 initiative and will soon require schools hold students back if they can’t read by third grade. They also signed off on AB474, which creates the Great Teaching and Leading Fund for professional development.

A third bill that passed Saturday on party lines with Democrats opposed would create an Achievement School District.

AB448 would allow education officials to select up to six low-performing public schools to be managed by a private charter organization as part of the new district.

The Assembly also voted 33-8 to pass SB432, which creates Victory Schools for students in poverty. The bill still needs final Senate approval.

Assembly approves mandatory 8-year license plate renewal

Nevada Assembly members have approved a measure requiring car owners obtain reissued license plates every eight year period.

Assembly members voted 28-13 to approve AB484 on Saturday. It now goes to the Senate.

The measure requires car owners to obtain new state-issued license plates every eight years. Supporters said the plates cost a minimum of $3.50 and would ensure that more license plates meet federal standards and remain in better condition over time.

The bill would take full effect in July 2016.

Compromise between solar firms, NV Energy heads to governor

A bill that aims to resolve a fight between rapidly growing rooftop solar installation companies and NV Energy is headed to the governor.

SB374 cleared its final legislative hurdle Saturday when the Senate voted to concur with an Assembly amendment.

Rooftop solar companies had protested the state’s 3 percent cap on net metering, which allows people with solar installations at their homes to send excess energy back to the utility company for a bill credit.

The compromise bill requires the Nevada Public Utilities Commission to set a tariff by the end of this year that solar customers would pay to even out the cost-shifting once a cap is reached.

By The Associated Press