Carson City Assemblyman discusses happenings in the legislature, COVID-19 challenges, bills affecting Carson City and more
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Fri, 04/23/2021 - 10:00am
Carson City Assemblyman P.K. O’Neill represented Carson City from 2014 until 2016, and has now served again beginning in 2020. He took some time to discuss legislation that is important to Carson City, being back in session during a pandemic, and more.
One bill that O’Neill feels is especially important to Carson City is a bill he is proposing himself, Assembly Bill (AB) 270.
AB 270 revises provisions governing the preservation of both the historic Nevada State Prison as well as the Stewart Indian School, both located within Carson City.
“This is a bill which will enhance the economy by increased tourism and education of the community with the experience of learning about the Stewart Indian School’s 90 years of involvement with Carson City, and the Nevada State Prison that has a 150-year history,” said O’Neill.
The bill would revise existing laws regarding events, money paid for special events, the sale or consumption of alcohol near the prison, and more.
In regards to the Stewart Indian School, the bill would require that any money received for special events held on the grounds of the School would be paid into the State Treasury for credit to the Nevada Indian Commission’s Gif Fund for the purpose of carrying out programs to preserve and maintain the buildings and grounds.
For the Nevada State Prison, in addition to revisions to the Endowment Fund, the bill would also authorize the sale or consumption of beer and wine at events held within the Nevada State Prison, which is currently prohibited by existing law.
There are many other bills that could have an effect on Carson City, said O’Neill, but that it would be difficult to single out just one.
“A predominant number of bills being discussed currently will have a direct or indirect effect on Carson City,” said O’Neill. “It is very difficult to single out one bill, whether they deal with cannabis consumption locations, green energy expansions, use of force requirements of law enforcements, or regulations of what kind of eggs may be sold at the local grocery store.”
The egg bill in question is AB 399, which relates to the sale of eggs from unhygienic conditions. The bill which would prohibit sale of eggs within Nevada if they come from laying hens who are confined in an enclosure which has less than 1 square foot of useable floor space per egg-laying hen.
O’Neill also touched on being back in session during a pandemic and the challenges that have arisen.
“Being back in session during the pandemic has been very challenging with the COVID-19 safety measures that have been enacted,” said O’Neill. “The restriction of lobbyists and the general public not being in the building have had a challenging negative impact on how the people’s business is being conducted. The various legislators and staff have adapted to the best of their abilities; however, there has been various challenges with individuals not being able to call in, or multiple technology issues with people not being able to voice their opinions on legislation.”
O’Neill believes that there should be more coverage and awareness on the lack of interaction between legislators and their constituents.
“I also believe that the lack of news media access to the building in committees has restricted the public knowledge and/or involvement,” said O’Neill. “I do a Weekly Legislative Update to the various constituents who have asked as my effort to keep the public informed.”
O’Neill would like his constituents to know that all legislators whether they be Senators, Assembly members, Democrats, or Republicans, are attempting to represent their constituents to the best of their ability due to the pandemic restrictions.
“I urge any and all to stay active, contact their various legislators to voice their concerns, opinions, thoughts and even a few prayers at times to help us in making good policy for Nevada,” said O’Neill.
