Makes various changes relating to government administration. (BDR 23-896)

Existing law creates the Merit Award Program and requires that the Merit Award Board investigate, review and evaluate the merits of certain proposed suggestions of any state employee or group of state employees. (NRS 285.020, 285.030, 285.040) Existing law provides that an award made from the Program must, insofar as is practicable, be paid from money other than money in the State General Fund. (NRS 285.070) Section 1 of this bill creates the Merit Award Account in the State General Fund, to be administered by the Board. Section 2 of this bill eliminates the limitation on money from the State General Fund being used to pay for an award. Section 15 of this bill makes an appropriation to the Board for the purpose of funding the administration of the Board during the 2023-2025 biennium. Section 16 of this bill makes an appropriation to the Merit Award Account to provide funding for merit awards to state employees from the Program during the 2023-2025 biennium. Existing law requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish an Advisory Council for Family Engagement, composed of 11 members, that has various duties relating to parental involvement and family engagement in schools. The members of the Advisory Council are appointed by the Superintendent, Speaker of the Assembly and Majority Leader of the Senate. (NRS 385.610) Section 3 of this bill requires the Advisory Council, at least 30 days before the beginning of any member's term, or within 30 days after a position on the Advisory Council becomes vacant, to submit to the relevant appointing authority the names of at least three persons who are qualified for membership on the Advisory Council. Existing law creates the Statewide Alert System for the Safe Return of Abducted Children, which is composed of a voluntary partnership among certain law enforcement agencies and broadcasters to assist in the search for and safe return of abducted children. (NRS 432.340) The System is overseen, supervised, evaluated, monitored and tested by the Committee for the Statewide Alert System, in consultation with the Attorney General. (NRS 432.360) The Committee consists of 15 members, including, in relevant part, 5 members who represent local law enforcement agencies, appointed by the Governor and 5 members who represent state law enforcement agencies, appointed by the Governor. (NRS 432.350) Section 4 of this bill provides instead that the Committee consists of 11 members, including, in relevant part, 3 members who represent local law enforcement agencies, appointed by the Governor from among a list of nominees from the Committee and 3 members who represent state law enforcement agencies, appointed by the Governor from among a list of nominees from the Committee. Existing law creates the Committee on Testing for Intoxication, consisting of five members. (NRS 484C.600) The Committee has various duties relating to certifying devices that test a person's breath to determine the concentration of alcohol in the person's breath. (NRS 484C.610) Section 8 of this bill authorizes the Committee to also: (1) study and make recommendations to the Director of the Department of Public Safety regarding the best practices, technologies and methods of detecting and determining the concentration of alcohol or the presence of a controlled substance or another prohibited substance and the effect of driving under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or other prohibited substance; (2) determine and certify whether a device or method is accurate and reliable for the purpose of testing a sample to determine the concentration of alcohol or the presence of a controlled substance or another prohibited substance; and (3) create, maintain and make available to the public a list of those devices and methods certified by the Commission. Section 8 further provides that if a device or method has been certified by the Committee to be accurate and reliable for the purpose of testing a person's blood, urine or other sample to determine the concentration of alcohol or the presence of a controlled substance or another prohibited substance. Section 9 of this bill makes a conforming change to clarify that evidence of certain tests are not admissible in a criminal proceeding unless it is shown that the device for testing a person's breath or other sample was certified by the Committee and was calibrated, maintained and operated as provided in such regulations. Existing law creates the Appeals Panel for Industrial Insurance, consisting of seven members, to hear certain grievances related to industrial insurance. (NRS 616B.760-616B.787) The Appeals Panel must meet at the times and places specified by a call of the Chair of the Appeals Panel, and the Chair must: (1) schedule meetings and hearings of the Appeals Panel; (2) establish the agenda for each such meeting and hearing; and (3) ensure that such meetings are conducted in an efficient manner. (NRS 616B.765, 616B.767) Sections 11 and 12 of this bill provide instead that the Chair or Commissioner of Insurance is required to carry out these duties. Existing law creates the Medical Laboratory Advisory Committee to advise the State Board of Health on matters of policy concerning medical laboratories, qualifications of laboratory directors and personnel and certain other matters. The Board is required to appoint various persons to the Advisory Committee. (NRS 652.030, 652.160, 652.170) Section 13 of this bill: (1) provides that if a vacancy in the membership of the Advisory Committee occurs, the Advisory Committee is required to submit a letter to the Board with a recommendation to fill the existing vacancy; and (2) requires the Advisory Committee to determine at least once per year whether any vacancy in its membership exists. Section 13 also requires the Advisory Committee to meet at least once every year. Existing law creates the Credit Union Advisory Council, consisting of five members appointed by the Governor, to consult with, advise and make recommendations to the Commissioner of Financial Institutions in all matters pertaining to credit unions. (NRS 672.061, 672.290) Section 14 of this bill: (1) clarifies that the Advisory Council may meet at least once every 6 months; and (2) eliminates the existing provision that council members are entitled to receive a certain salary for attendance at meetings.