But other elements of the bill, such as judicial discretion for certain penalties and changes to the Parole Board, may end up being rolled into a third measure, AB510, said Amodei.

That bill, which passed the Assembly 37-4, would expand the good-time credits offered to offenders who complete programs while incarcerated.

Both money committees have already approved budgets that set aside half of the estimated $6.6 million in savings those credits should bring.

AB416 also would make Parole Board meetings subject to the open meeting law and grant inmates the right to get an explanation of why they were denied parole.

Under the current system, prisoners often don't get that, said Assemblyman David Parks, D-Las Vegas, who has been pushing the bill together with its chief sponsor, Assemblyman Harvey Munford, D-Las Vegas.

Supporters of the bill say the current Parole Board operates with little oversight, despite the fact that it complied with open meetings laws several years ago.