Under existing law, the Legislature finds and declares that it is in the public interest to place the primary authority for the planning process with the local governments and that state participation in land use planning should be limited to certain activities. (NRS 321.640) Section 1 of this bill declares the importance of tribal knowledge and expertise as a source of local knowledge and consulting with tribal governments and tribal members when local governments are engaged in the planning process. Existing law sets forth the State and Local Government Cooperation Act for the purpose of encouraging communication, cooperation and coordinated working relationships between state agencies and local governments. To carry out this purpose, existing law provides that state agencies and local governments should, to the extent practicable, follow certain procedures when adopting or amending certain plans. (NRS 277.182-277.188) Section 5 of this bill provides that state agencies and local governments should also communicate, cooperate and coordinate working relationships with tribal governments by following the same procedures to inform and solicit and consider comments from tribal governments when adopting or amending certain plans. Consistent with this change, section 3 of this bill renames the title of the State and Local Government Cooperation Act to the State, Local and Tribal Government Cooperation Act. Section 6 of this bill provides that these provisions do not limit the power of a state agency or local government to carry out its statutory duties and responsibilities. Section 2 of this bill defines “tribal government” for the purposes of the State, Local and Tribal Government Cooperation Act. Section 4 of this bill applies the definitions in existing law relating to the Act and section 2 to the provisions of the Act.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 321.640, 277.182, 277.183, 277.187, 277.188
BDR: 321.640, 277.182, 277.183, 277.187, 277.188