NEVADA LEGISLATURE

THE SEVENTY-SECOND DAY

Carson City (Tuesday), April 17, 2001

Senate called to order at 11:46 a.m.

President Hunt presiding.

Roll called.

All present.

Prayer by the Chaplain, Monsignor Leo McFadden.

Let us pray for those who serve us in public office that God may guide their minds and hearts so that all men may live in true peace and freedom.

Almighty and Eternal God, You know the longings of men’s hearts, and You protect their rights.

In Your goodness, watch over those in authority so that people everywhere may enjoy religious freedom, security and peace.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Pledge of allegiance to the Flag.

Senator Raggio moved that further reading of the Journal be dispensed with, and the President and Secretary be authorized to make the necessary corrections and additions.

Motion carried.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Madam President:

Your Committee on Commerce and Labor, to which was referred Senate Bill No. 309, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Do pass, and re-refer to the Committee on Finance.

Also, your Committee on Commerce and Labor, to which was referred Senate Bill No. 91, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Amend, and do pass as amended.

Randolph J. Townsend, Chairman

Madam President:

Your Committee on Finance, to which were referred Senate Bills Nos. 145, 196, 480, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Amend, and do pass as amended.

William J. Raggio, Chairman

Madam President:

Your Committee on Government Affairs, to which were referred Senate Bills Nos. 198, 255, 317, 329, 350, 363, 470, 473, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Amend, and do pass as amended.

Also, your Committee on Government Affairs, to which was referred Senate Bill No. 426, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Without recommendation, and re-refer to the Committee on Finance.

Ann O'Connell, Chairman

Madam President:

Your Committee on Human Resources and Facilities, to which were referred Senate Bills Nos. 540, 543, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Do pass.

Also, your Committee on Human Resources and Facilities, to which was referred Senate Bill No. 505, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Do pass, and re-refer to the Committee on Finance.

Also, your Committee on Human Resources and Facilities, to which was referred Senate Bill No. 113, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Amend, and do pass as amended.

Raymond D. Rawson, Chairman

Madam President:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred Senate Bill No. 181, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Do pass, and re-refer to the Committee on Finance.

Also, your Committee on Judiciary, to which were referred Senate Bills Nos. 88, 204, 339, 366, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Amend, and do pass as amended.

Mark A. James, Chairman

Madam President:

Your Committee on Natural Resources, to which was referred Senate Bill No. 532, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Do pass.

Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman

Madam President:

Your Committee on Taxation, to which was referred Senate Bill No. 468, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Amend, and do pass as amended.

Mike McGinness, Chairman

MESSAGES FROM THE ASSEMBLY

Assembly Chamber, Carson City, April 13, 2001

To the Honorable the Senate:

I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day passed Assembly Bill No. 646.

Also, I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day passed, as amended, Assembly Bills Nos. 44, 86, 160, 197, 203, 293, 299, 417, 427.

Also, I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 6.

Patricia R. Williams

Assistant Chief Clerk of the Assembly

WAIVERS AND EXEMPTIONS

Notice of Exemption

April 16, 2001

The Fiscal Analysis Division, pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.6, has determined the exemption of: Senate Bills Nos. 367, 391, 417.

Gary Ghiggeri

Fiscal Analysis Division

April 16, 2001

The Fiscal Analysis Division, pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.6, has determined the exemption of: Assembly Bills Nos. 69, 175, 199, 285, 291, 477, 567, 569, 605, 613, 662.

Mark Stevens

Fiscal Analysis Division

MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES

Senator Raggio moved that for this legislative day the Secretary of the Senate dispense with reading the histories and titles of all bills and resolutions.

Remarks by Senator Raggio.

Motion carried.

By Senators Carlton, Amodei, Care, Coffin, Jacobsen, James, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, O'Connell, O'Donnell, Porter, Raggio, Rawson, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Titus, Townsend, Washington, Wiener; Assemblymen Perkins, Anderson, Angle, Arberry, Bache, Beers, Berman, Brower, Brown, Buckley, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Claborn, Collins, de Braga, Dini, Freeman, Gibbons, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Hettrick, Humke, Koivisto, Lee, Leslie, Manendo, Marvel, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Oceguera, Ohrenschall, Parks, Parnell, Price, Smith, Tiffany, Von Tobel and Williams:

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 33—Commending Trauma Intervention Programs Inc. on its service to the community.

Whereas, Following a crisis event, the persons involved are often emotionally traumatized, confused and in shock, and are not prepared to deal with the situation; and

Whereas, In many cases, those persons have no one to assist them with getting the necessary care and support they need and, if left to fend for themselves, may suffer lifelong emotional scars; and

Whereas, Trauma Intervention Programs Inc. (“TIP”) is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1985 and is dedicated to providing compassionate care in emergency situations by making available immediate support to those persons emotionally traumatized by a crisis; and

Whereas, This mission is being accomplished through community volunteers who are trained to provide assistance to persons in crisis when requested by hospital personnel, police officers, firefighters and paramedics; and

Whereas, TIP, whose motto is “citizens helping citizens in crisis,” is the largest operator of emergency services volunteer programs in the nation and was a 1991 recipient of the Innovations in State and Local Government Award from the Ford Foundation and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, an award widely considered to be the most prestigious award given to nonprofit organizations and public agencies; and

Whereas, In the year 2000, Attorney General Janet Reno presented TIP with the highest federal honor for victim advocacy, the Crime Victim Service Award, which honors individuals and organizations whose work on behalf of crime victims is characterized by exceptional commitment and effectiveness; and

Whereas, TIP has 18 regional chapters that serve over 75 cities, 100 hospitals, 67 police departments and 55 fire departments, with volunteers available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; and

Whereas, TIP of Southern Nevada was organized in 1994 with approximately 20 volunteers who responded to about 30 calls per month; and

Whereas, By the end of 2000, TIP of Southern Nevada had grown to 50 volunteers who responded to approximately 125 calls per month from area police departments, fire departments, hospitals and the Clark County Coroner’s Office; and

Whereas, TIP volunteers may offer assistance to victims of crime, fire or vehicle accidents, seniors needing assistance, family members following a death or suicide, and persons in other crisis situations by providing emotional support or referrals to appropriate agencies for ongoing assistance, notifying family or friends of the emergency, arranging for shelter, food, clothing and transportation, or serving as a liaison between the victims and emergency services; and

Whereas, Some of the services offered by TIP are the TIP4kids Program which helps children who have been emotionally traumatized, the TIPTeens Program which involves young people as active volunteers in TIP, TravelersCare which enhances the capacity of the travel industry to support travelers who have been affected by crisis events, and the Senior Crisis Team which provides support to seniors who may be in crisis or who may feel isolated or disoriented and need follow-up care; and

Whereas, Funding for these services is provided by the Las Vegas Fire Department, the Henderson Police and Fire Departments, the Clark County Fire Department and Boulder City, as well as various fundraising efforts of the local TIP volunteers and grateful clients; and

Whereas, TIP volunteers are lay persons who have a desire and willingness to give back to their community and to give of their time by completing a 55-hour training course and attending a mandatory 3-hour continuing education meeting each month, as well as by making themselves available for emergency calls; and

Whereas, TIP volunteers have proven themselves invaluable to emergency personnel by assisting them at the scene with specific tasks or by calming victims and their families, allowing the emergency personnel to use their time more effectively to take care of the situation at hand and to get back into service sooner; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly Concurring, That the Nevada Legislature commends Trauma Intervention Programs Inc., TIP of Southern Nevada and the volunteers who provide crisis services to people in adverse and sometimes tragic situations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to Marian Thomas, Crisis Team Manager of TIP of Southern Nevada.

Senator Carlton moved the adoption of the resolution.

Remarks by Senator Carlton.

Senator Carlton requested that her remarks be entered in the Journal.

I would like to let the body know just how important these Angels of Mercy actually are. A couple of really important calls they went on recently included sending seven volunteers to the shooting at the Albertson’s grocery store. Four volunteers were called in February, 2000, to a robbery and shooting at the Ross department store in Henderson. They had eight adult and two teen volunteers responding to the accident on Interstate 15 in March, 2000, when we lost six teenagers on that highway. They truly are Angels of Mercy. They reach out when the police are solving crimes, the firemen are putting out fires and the hospital personnel are doing medical care. They are there for the families to support them and help them. It makes me happy to know that if anything were to happen to my family, they would be there for them if I could not be there.

Resolution adopted.

Resolution ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senator Carlton moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.

Motion carried.

Senate in recess at 12 p.m.

SENATE IN SESSION

At 12:02 p.m.

President Hunt presiding.

Quorum present.

Senator James moved that Senate Bill No. 181 be re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

Remarks by Senator James.

Motion carried.

Senator Townsend moved that Senate Bill No. 309 be re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

Remarks by Senator Townsend.

Motion carried.

Senator O'Connell moved that Senate Bill No. 426 be re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

Remarks by Senator O'Connell.

Motion carried.

Senator Rawson moved that Senate Bill No. 505 be re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

Remarks by Senator Rawson.

Motion carried.

Senator O'Donnell moved that Senate Bill No. 525 be taken from the General File and placed on the Secretary’s desk.

Remarks by Senator O'Donnell.

Motion carried.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 6.

Senator Rawson moved that the resolution be referred to the Committee on Government Affairs.

Motion carried.

INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING AND REFERENCE

Assembly Bill No. 44.

Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

Motion carried.

Assembly Bill No. 86.

Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Transportation.

Motion carried.

Assembly Bill No. 160.

Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

Motion carried.

Assembly Bill No. 197.

Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

Motion carried.

Assembly Bill No. 203.

Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

Motion carried.

Assembly Bill No. 293.

Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities.

Motion carried.

Assembly Bill No. 299.

Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Government Affairs.

Motion carried.

Assembly Bill No. 417.

Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Motion carried.

Assembly Bill No. 427.

Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Government Affairs.

Motion carried.

Assembly Bill No. 646.

Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Transportation.

Motion carried.

SECOND READING AND AMENDMENT

Senate Bill No. 51.

Bill read second time.

The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Judiciary:

Amendment No. 57.

Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sections 1 through 103 and the text of repealed sections and adding new sections designated sections 1 through 137 and the leadlines of repealed sections, following the enacting clause, to read as follows:

“Section 1. Chapter 78 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto the provisions set forth as sections 2 and 3 of this act.

Sec. 2. 1. A person holding stock in a fiduciary capacity is entitled to vote the shares so held.

2. A person whose stock is pledged is entitled to vote, unless in the pledge the pledgor has expressly empowered the pledgee to vote the stock, in which case only the pledgee or the proxy of the pledgee may vote the stock.

3. If shares or other securities having voting power stand of record in the names of two or more persons, whether fiduciaries, joint tenants, tenants in common or otherwise, or if two or more persons have the same fiduciary relationship respecting the shares or securities, unless the secretary of the corporation is given written notice to the contrary and is furnished with a copy of the instrument or order appointing them or creating the relationship, their acts with respect to voting have the following effect:

(a) If only one votes, that person’s act binds all;

(b) If more than one votes, the act chosen by a majority of votes binds all; or

(c) If more than one votes, but the vote is evenly split on any particular matter, each faction may vote the shares or securities in question proportionally.

Sec. 3. 1. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, a corporation that desires to decrease the number of issued and outstanding shares of a class or series held by each stockholder of record at the effective date and time of the change without correspondingly decreasing the number of authorized shares of the same class or series may do so if:

(a) The board of directors adopts a resolution setting forth the proposal to decrease the number of issued and outstanding shares of a class or series; and

(b) The proposal is approved by the vote of stockholders holding a majority of the voting power of the affected class or series, or such greater proportion as may be provided in the articles of incorporation, regardless of limitations or restrictions on the voting power of the affected class or series.

2. If the proposal required by subsection 1 is approved by the stockholders entitled to vote, the corporation may reissue its stock in accordance with the proposal after the effective date and time of the change.

3. If a proposed decrease in the number of issued and outstanding shares of any class or series would adversely alter or change any preference, or any relative or other right given to any other class or series of outstanding shares, then the decrease must be approved by the vote, in addition to any vote otherwise required, of the shares representing a majority of the voting power of each class or series whose preference or rights are adversely affected by the decrease, or such greater proportion as may be provided in the articles of incorporation, regardless of limitations or restrictions on the voting power of the adversely affected class or series.

4. Any proposal to decrease the number of issued and outstanding shares of any class or series, if any, that includes provisions pursuant to which only money will be paid or scrip will be issued to stockholders who:

(a) Before the decrease in the number of shares becomes effective, hold 1 percent or more of the outstanding shares of the affected class or series; and

(b) Would otherwise be entitled to receive fractions of shares in exchange for the cancellation of all their outstanding shares,

is subject to the provisions of NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive. If the proposal is subject to those provisions, any stockholder who is obligated to accept money or scrip rather than receive a fraction of a share resulting from the action taken pursuant to this section may dissent in accordance with the provisions of NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive, and obtain payment of the fair value of the fraction of a share to which the stockholder would otherwise be entitled.

Sec. 4. NRS 78.010 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.010 1. As used in this chapter:

(a) “Approval” and “vote” as describing action by the directors or stockholders mean the vote of directors in person or by written consent or of stockholders in person, by proxy or by written consent.

(b) “Articles,” “articles of incorporation” and “certificate of incorporation” are synonymous terms and unless the context otherwise requires, include all certificates filed pursuant to NRS 78.030, 78.1955, 78.209, 78.380, 78.385 and 78.390 and any articles of merger[or] , conversion, exchange or domestication filed pursuant to NRS 92A.200 to 92A.240, inclusive[.] , and sections 109 to 115, inclusive, of this act. Unless the context otherwise requires, these terms include restated articles and certificates of incorporation.

(d) “Receiver” includes receivers and trustees appointed by a court as provided in this chapter or in chapter 32 of NRS.

(e) “Registered office” means the office maintained at the street address of the resident agent.

(f) “Resident agent” means the agent appointed by the corporation upon whom process or a notice or demand authorized by law to be served upon the corporation may be served.

(g) “Sign” means to affix a signature to a document.

(h) “Signature” means a name, word or mark executed or adopted by a person with the present intention to authenticate a document. The term includes, without limitation, a digital signature as defined in NRS 720.060.

(i) “Stockholder of record” means a person whose name appears on the stock ledger of the corporation.

(j) “Street address” of a resident agent means the actual physical location in this state at which a resident agent is available for service of process.

2. General terms and powers given in this chapter are not restricted by the use of special terms, or by any grant of special powers contained in this chapter.

Sec. 5. NRS 78.0295 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.0295 1. A corporation may correct a document filed by the secretary of state with respect to the corporation if the document contains an [incorrect statement] inaccurate record of a corporate action described in the document or was defectively executed, attested, sealed, verified or acknowledged.

2. To correct a document, the corporation shall:

(a) Prepare a certificate of correction which:

(1) States the name of the corporation;

(2) Describes the document, including, without limitation, its filing date;

(3) Specifies the [incorrect statement and the reason it is incorrect or the manner in which the execution or other formal authentication was defective;

(4) Corrects the incorrect statement] inaccuracy or defect;

(4) Sets forth the inaccurate or defective [execution;] portion of the document in an accurate or corrected form; and

(5) Is signed by an officer of the corporation . [; and]

(b) Deliver the certificate to the secretary of state for filing.

3. A certificate of correction is effective on the effective date of the document it corrects except as to persons relying on the uncorrected document and adversely affected by the correction. As to those persons, the certificate is effective when filed.

Sec. 6. NRS 78.125 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.125 1. Unless it is otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, the board of directors may designate one or more committees which, to the extent provided in the resolution or resolutions or in the bylaws of the corporation, have and may exercise the powers of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation . [, and may have power to authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers on which the corporation desires to place a seal.]

2. The committee or committees must have such name or names as may be stated in the bylaws of the corporation or as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors.

3. Each committee must include at least one director. Unless the articles of incorporation or the bylaws provide otherwise, the board of directors may appoint natural persons who are not directors to serve on committees.

4. The board of directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of a committee to replace any member who is disqualified or absent from a meeting of the committee. The bylaws of the corporation may provide that, unless the board of directors appoints alternate members pursuant to this subsection, the member or members of a committee present at a meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not the member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of an absent or disqualified member of the committee.

Sec. 7. NRS 78.150 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.150 1. A corporation organized [under] pursuant to thelaws of this state shall, on or before the first day of the second month after the filing of its articles of incorporation with the secretary of state, file with the secretary of state a list, on a form furnished by him, containing:

(a) The name of the corporation;

(b) The file number of the corporation, if known;

(d) The mailing or street address, either residence or business, of each officer and director listed, following the name of the officer or director; and

(e) The signature of an officer of the corporation certifying that the list is true, complete and accurate.

2. The corporation shall annually thereafter, on or before the last day of the month in which the anniversary date of incorporation occurs in each year, file with the secretary of state, on a form furnished by him, an [amended] annual list containing all of the information required in subsection 1.

3. Upon filing [a list of officers and directors,] the annual list required by subsection 2, the corporation shall pay to the secretary of state a fee of $85.

4. The secretary of state shall, 60 days before the last day for filing the annual list required by subsection 2, cause to be mailed to each corporation which is required to comply with the provisions of NRS 78.150 to 78.185, inclusive, and which has not become delinquent, a notice of the fee due pursuant to subsection 3 and a reminder to file [a list of officers and directors.] the annual list required by subsection 2. Failure of any corporation to receive a notice or form does not excuse it from the penalty imposed by law.

5. If the list to be filed pursuant to the provisions of subsection 1 or 2 is defective in any respect or the fee required by subsection 3 , 6 or 7 is not paid, the secretary of state may return the list for correction or payment.

6. An annual list for a corporation not in default which is received by the secretary of state more than 60 days before its due date shall be deemed an amended list for the previous year and must be accompanied by a fee of $85 for filing. A payment submitted pursuant to this subsection does not satisfy the requirements of subsection 2 for the year to which the due date is applicable.

7. If the corporation is an association as defined in NRS 116.110315, the secretary of state shall not accept the filing required by this section unless it is accompanied by evidence of the payment of the fee required to be paid pursuant to NRS 116.31155 that is provided to the association pursuant to subsection 4 of that section.

Sec. 8. NRS 78.175 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.175 1. The secretary of state shall notify, by letter addressed to its resident agent, each corporation deemed in default pursuant to NRS 78.170. The notice must be accompanied by a statement indicating the amount of the filing fee, penalties and costs remaining unpaid.

2. On the first day of the [ninth month following] first anniversary of the month following the month in which the filing was required, the charter of the corporation is revoked and its right to transact business is forfeited.

3. The secretary of state shall compile a complete list containing the names of all corporations whose right to do business has been forfeited. The secretary of state shall forthwith notify, by letter addressed to its resident agent, each such corporation of the forfeiture of its charter. The notice must be accompanied by a statement indicating the amount of the filing fee, penalties and costs remaining unpaid.

4. If the charter of a corporation is revoked and the right to transact business is forfeited as provided in subsection 2, all of the property and assets of the defaulting domestic corporation must be held in trust by the directors of the corporation as for insolvent corporations, and the same proceedings may be had with respect thereto as are applicable to insolvent corporations. Any person interested may institute proceedings at any time after a forfeiture has been declared, but if the secretary of state reinstates the charter the proceedings must at once be dismissed and all property restored to the officers of the corporation.

5. Where the assets are distributed they must be applied in the following manner:

(a) To the payment of the filing fee, penalties and costs due to the state;

(b) To the payment of the creditors of the corporation; and

Sec. 9. NRS 78.180 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.180 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 3 and 4, the secretary of state shall reinstate a corporation which has forfeited its right to transact business [under] pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and restore to the corporation its right to carry on business in this state, and to exercise its corporate privileges and immunities, if it:

(a) Files with the secretary of state the list required by NRS 78.150; and

(b) Pays to the secretary of state:

(1) The annual filing fee and penalty set forth in NRS 78.150 and 78.170 for each year or portion thereof during which [its charter was revoked;] it failed to file each required annual list in a timely manner; and

(2) A fee of $50 for reinstatement.

2. When the secretary of state reinstates the corporation, he shall:

(a) Immediately issue and deliver to the corporation a certificate of reinstatement authorizing it to transact business as if the filing fee or fees had been paid when due; and

(b) Upon demand, issue to the corporation one or more certified copies of the certificate of reinstatement.

3. The secretary of state shall not order a reinstatement unless all delinquent fees and penalties have been paid, and the revocation of the charter occurred only by reason of failure to pay the fees and penalties.

4. If a corporate charter has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and has remained revoked for a period of 5 consecutive years, the charter must not be reinstated.

Sec. 10. NRS 78.195 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.195 1. If a corporation desires to have more than one class or series of stock, the articles of incorporation must prescribe, or vest authority in the board of directors to prescribe, the classes, series and the number of each class or series of stock and the voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and relative rights of each class or series of stock. If more than one class or series of stock is authorized, the articles of incorporation or the resolution of the board of directors passed pursuant to a provision of the articles must prescribe a distinguishing designation for each class and series. The voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions, relative rights and distinguishing designation of each class or series of stock must be described in the articles of incorporation or the resolution of the board of directors before the issuance of shares of that class or series.

2. All shares of a series must have voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and relative rights identical with those of other shares of the same series and, except to the extent otherwise provided in the description of the series, with those of other series of the same class.

3. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, no stock issued as fully paid up may ever be assessed and the articles of incorporation must not be amended in this particular.

4. Any rate, condition or time for payment of distributions on any class or series of stock may be made dependent upon any fact or event which may be ascertained outside the articles of incorporation or the resolution providing for the distributions adopted by the board of directors if the manner in which a fact or event may operate upon the rate, condition or time of payment for the distributions is stated in the articles of incorporation or the resolution. As used in this subsection, “fact or event” includes, without limitation, the existence of a fact or occurrence of an event, including, without limitation, a determination or action by a person, government, governmental agency or political subdivision of a government.

5. The provisions of this section do not restrict the directors of a corporation from taking action to protect the interests of the corporation and its stockholders, including, but not limited to, adopting or executing plans, arrangements or instruments that grant rights to stockholders or that deny rights, privileges, power or authority to a holder of a specified number of shares or percentage of share ownership or voting power.

Sec. 11. NRS 78.1955 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.1955 1. If the voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and relative rights of any class or series of stock have been established by a resolution of the board of directors pursuant to a provision in the articles of incorporation, a certificate of designation setting forth the resolution must be signed by an officer of the corporation and filed with the secretary of state . [setting forth the resolution. The certificate of designation must be executed by the president or vice president and secretary or assistant secretary and acknowledged by the president or vice president before a person authorized by the laws of Nevada to take acknowledgments of deeds. The] A certificate of designation [so executed and acknowledged must be filed] signed and filed pursuant to this section must become effective before the issuance of any shares of the class or series.

2. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or the certificate of designation being amended, if no shares of a class or series of stock established by a resolution of the board of directors have been issued, the designation of the class or series, the number of the class or series and the voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and relative rights of the class or series may be amended by a resolution of the board of directors pursuant to a certificate of amendment filed in the manner provided in subsection 4.

3. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or the certificate of designation, if shares of a class or series of stock established by a resolution of the board of directors have been issued, the designation of the class or series, the number of the class or series and the voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and relative rights of the class or series may be amended by a resolution of the board of directors only if the amendment is approved as provided in this subsection. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or the certificate of designation, the proposed amendment adopted by the board of directors must be approved by the vote of stockholders holding shares in the corporation entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power, or such greater proportion of the voting power as may be required by the articles of incorporation or the certificate of designation, of:

(a) The class or series of stock being amended; and

(b) Each class and each series of stock which, before amendment, is senior to the class or series being amended as to the payment of distributions upon dissolution of the corporation, regardless of any limitations or restrictions on the voting power of that class or series.

4. A certificate of amendment to a certificate of designation must be signed by an officer of the corporation and filed with the secretary of state and must:

(a) Set forth the original designation and the new designation, if the designation of the class or series is being amended;

(b) State that no shares of the class or series have been issued or state that the approval of the stockholders required pursuant to subsection 3 has been obtained; and

(c) Set forth the amendment to the class or series or set forth the designation of the class or series, the number of the class or series and the voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and relative rights of the class or series, as amended.

[The certificate of amendment must be executed by the president or vice president and secretary or assistant secretary and acknowledged by the president or vice president before a person authorized by the laws of Nevada to take acknowledgments of deeds.]

5. A certificate filed pursuant to subsection 1 or 4 becomes effective upon filing with the secretary of state or upon a later date specified in the certificate, which must not be later than 90 days after the certificate is filed.

6. If shares of a class or series of stock established by a certificate of designation are not outstanding, the corporation may file a certificate which states that no shares of the class or series are outstanding and which contains the resolution of the board of directors authorizing the withdrawal of the certificate of designation establishing the class or series of stock. The certificate must be signed by an officer of the corporation and filed with the secretary of state. Upon filing the certificate and payment of the fee required pursuant to NRS 78.765, all matters contained in the certificate of designation regarding the class or series of stock are eliminated from the articles of incorporation.

7. NRS 78.380, 78.385 and 78.390 do not apply to certificates of amendment filed pursuant to this section.

Sec. 12. NRS 78.196 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.196 1. Each corporation must have:

(a) One or more classes or series of shares that together have unlimited voting rights; and

(b) One or more classes or series of shares that together are entitled to receive the net assets of the corporation upon dissolution.

If the articles of incorporation provide for only one class of stock, that class of stock has unlimited voting rights and is entitled to receive the net assets of the corporation upon dissolution.

2. The articles of incorporation, or a resolution of the board of directors pursuant thereto, may authorize one or more classes or series of stock that:

(a) Have special, conditional or limited voting powers, or no right to vote, except to the extent otherwise provided by this Title;

(b) Are redeemable or convertible:

(1) At the option of the corporation, the stockholders or another person, or upon the occurrence of a designated event;

(2) For cash, indebtedness, securities or other property; or

(3) In a designated amount or in an amount determined in accordance with a designated formula or by reference to extrinsic data or events;

(c) Entitle the stockholders to distributions calculated in any manner, including dividends that may be cumulative, noncumulative or partially cumulative;

(d) Have preference over any other class or series of shares with respect to distributions, including dividends and distributions upon the dissolution of the corporation;

(e) Have par value; or

(f) Have powers, designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and relative rights dependent upon any fact or event which may be ascertained outside of the articles of incorporation or the resolution if the manner in which the fact or event may operate on such class or series of stock is stated in the articles of incorporation or the resolution.

3. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or in a resolution of the board of directors establishing a class or series of stock, shares which are subject to redemption and which have been called for redemption are not deemed to be outstanding shares for purposes of voting or determining the total number of shares entitled to vote on a matter on and after the date on which:

(a) Written notice of redemption has been sent to the holders of such shares; and

(b) A sum sufficient to redeem the shares has been irrevocably deposited or set aside to pay the redemption price to the holders of the shares upon surrender of any certificates.

4. The description of voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions and relative rights of the classes or series of shares contained in this section is not exclusive.

Sec. 13. NRS 78.205 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.205 1. A corporation is not [obliged] obligated to but may execute and deliver a certificate for or including a fraction of a share.

2. In lieu of executing and delivering a certificate for a fraction of a share, a corporation may:

(a) Pay to any person otherwise entitled to become a holder of a fraction of a share:

(1) The appraised value of that share if the appraisal was properly demanded[;] pursuant to this chapter or chapter 92A of NRS; or

(2) If no appraisal was demanded or an appraisal was not properly demanded, an amount in cash specified for that purpose as the value of the fraction in the articles, plan of reorganization, plan of merger or exchange, resolution of the board of directors, or other instrument pursuant to which the fractional share would otherwise be issued, or, if not specified, then as may be determined for that purpose by the board of directors of the issuing corporation;

(b) Issue such additional fraction of a share as is necessary to increase the fractional share to a full share; or

(c) Execute and deliver registered or bearer scrip over the manual or facsimile signature of an officer of the corporation or of its agent for that purpose, exchangeable as provided on the scrip for full share certificates, but the scrip does not entitle the holder to any rights as a stockholder except as provided on the scrip. The scrip may provide that it becomes void unless the rights of the holders are exercised within a specified period and may contain any other provisions or conditions that the corporation deems advisable. Whenever any scrip ceases to be exchangeable for full share certificates, the shares that would otherwise have been issuable as provided on the scrip are deemed to be treasury shares unless the scrip contains other provisions for their disposition.

3. The provisions of this section do not prevent a person who holds a fractional share from disputing the appraised value of a share pursuant to NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive, if the person is otherwise entitled to exercise such rights.

Sec. 14. NRS 78.207 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.207 1. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, a corporation [organized and existing under the laws of this state] that desires to change the number of shares of a class [and] or series, if any, of its authorized stock by increasing or decreasing the number of authorized shares of the class [and] or series and correspondingly increasing or decreasing the number of issued and outstanding shares of the same class [and] or series held by each stockholder of record at the effective date and time of the change, may, except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 3, do so by a resolution adopted by the board of directors, without obtaining the approval of the stockholders. The resolution may also provide for a change of the par value, if any, of the same class [and] or series of the shares increased or decreased. After the effective date and time of the change, the corporation may issue its stock in accordance therewith.

2. A proposal to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of any class [and] or series, if any, that includes provisions pursuant to which only money will be paid or scrip will be issued to stockholders who:

(a) Before the increase or decrease in the number of shares becomes effective, in the aggregate hold 10 percent or more of the outstanding shares of the affected class [and] or series; and

(b) Would otherwise be entitled to receive fractions of shares in exchange for the cancellation of all of their outstanding shares,

must be approved by the vote of stockholders holding a majority of the voting power of the affected class [and] or series, or such greater proportion as may be provided in the articles of incorporation, regardless of limitations or restrictions on the voting power thereof.

3. If a proposed increase or decrease in the number of authorized shares of any class or series would adversely alter or change any preference or any relative or other right given to any other class or series of outstanding shares, then the increase or decrease must be approved by the vote, in addition to any vote otherwise required, of the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of each class or series whose preference or rights are adversely affected by the increase or decrease, regardless of limitations or restrictions on the voting power thereof.

4. Any proposal to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of any class [and] or series, if any, that includes provisions pursuant to which only money will be paid or scrip will be issued to stockholders who:

(a) Before the increase or decrease in the number of shares becomes effective, hold 1 percent or more of the outstanding shares of the affected class [and] or series; and

(b) Would otherwise be entitled to receive a fraction of a share in exchange for the cancellation of all of their outstanding shares,

is subject to the provisions of NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive. If the proposal is subject to those provisions, any stockholder who is obligated to accept money or scrip rather than receive a fraction of a share resulting from the action taken pursuant to this section may dissent in accordance with those provisions and obtain payment of the fair value of the fraction of a share to which the stockholder would otherwise be entitled.

Sec. 15. NRS 78.209 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.209 1. A change pursuant to NRS 78.207 is not effective until after the filing in the office of the secretary of state of a certificate, signed by [the corporation’s president, or a vice president, and its secretary, or an assistant secretary, and acknowledged by the president or vice president before a person authorized by the laws of this state to take acknowledgments of deeds,] an officer of the corporation, setting forth:

(a) The current number of authorized shares and the par value, if any, of each class [and] or series, if any, of shares before the change;

(b) The number of authorized shares and the par value, if any, of each class [and] or series, if any, of shares after the change;

(c) The number of shares of each affected class [and] or series, if any, to be issued after the change in exchange for each issued share of the same class or series;

(d) The provisions, if any, for the issuance of fractional shares, or for the payment of money or the issuance of scrip to stockholders otherwise entitled to a fraction of a share and the percentage of outstanding shares affected thereby; and

(e) That any required approval of the stockholders has been obtained . [; and

(f) Whether the change is effective on filing the certificate or, if not, the date and time at which the change will be effective, which must not be more than 90 days after the certificate is filed.]

The provisions in the articles of incorporation of the corporation regarding the authorized number and par value, if any, of the changed class [and] or series, if any, of shares shall be deemed amended as provided in the certificate at the effective date and time of the change.

2. Unless an increase or decrease of the number of authorized shares pursuant to NRS 78.207 is accomplished by an action that otherwise requires an amendment to the [corporation’s] articles of incorporation[,] of the corporation, such an amendment is not required by that section.

3. A certificate filed pursuant to subsection 1 becomes effective upon filing with the secretary of state or upon a later date specified in the certificate, which must not be later than 90 days after the certificate is filed.

4. If a certificate filed pursuant to subsection 1 specifies an effective date, the board of directors may terminate the effectiveness of the certificate by resolution. A certificate of termination must:

(a) Be filed with the secretary of state before the effective date specified in the certificate filed pursuant to subsection 1;

(b) Identify the certificate being terminated;

(d) Be signed by an officer of the corporation; and

(e) Be accompanied by the fee required pursuant to NRS 78.765.

Sec. 16. NRS 78.211 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.211 1. The board of directors may authorize shares to be issued for consideration consisting of any tangible or intangible property or benefit to the corporation, including, but not limited to, cash, promissory notes, services performed, contracts for services to be performed or other securities of the corporation.

[2. Before the corporation issues shares, the board of directors must determine that the consideration received or to be received for the shares to be issued is adequate.] The judgment of the board of directors as to [the adequacy of] the consideration received for the shares issued is conclusive in the absence of actual fraud in the transaction.

[3.] 2. When the corporation receives the consideration for which the board of directors authorized the issuance of shares, the shares issued therefor are fully paid.

[4.] 3. The corporation may place in escrow shares issued for a contract for future services or benefits or a promissory note, or make any other arrangements to restrict the transfer of the shares. The corporation may credit distributions made for the shares against their purchase price, until the services are performed, the benefits are received or the promissory note is paid. If the services are not performed, the benefits are not received or the promissory note is not paid, the shares escrowed or restricted and the distributions credited may be canceled in whole or in part.

Sec. 17. NRS 78.220 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.220 1. Subscriptions to the shares of a corporation, whether made before or after its organization, [shall] must be paid in full at such time or in such installments at such times as determined by the board of directors. Any call made by the board of directors for payment on subscriptions [shall] must be uniform as to all shares of the same class or series.

2. If default is made in the payment of any installment or call, the corporation may proceed to collect the amount due in the same manner as any debt due the corporation. In addition, the corporation may sell a sufficient number of the subscriber’s shares at public auction to pay for the installment or call and any incidental charges incurred as a result of the sale. No penalty causing a forfeiture of a subscription, of stock for which a subscription has been executed, or of amounts paid thereon, may be declared against any subscriber unless the amount due remains unpaid for 30 days after written demand. Such written demand shall be deemed made when it is mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the subscriber’s last known address. If any of the subscriber’s shares are sold at public auction, any excess of the proceeds over the total of the amount due plus any incidental charges of the sale [shall] must be paid to the subscriber or his legal representative. If an action is brought to recover the amount due on a subscription or call, any judgment in favor of the corporation [shall] must be reduced by the amount of the net proceeds of any sale by the corporation of the subscriber’s stock.

3. All stock subject to a delinquent installment or call and all amounts previously paid by a delinquent subscriber for the stock must be forfeited to the corporation if an amount due from a subscriber remains unpaid, the corporation has complied with the requirements of subsection 2 and:

(a) A bidder does not purchase the subscriber’s shares at public auction; or

(b) The corporation does not collect the defaulted amount by an action at law.

4. If a receiver of a corporation has been appointed, all unpaid subscriptions [shall] must be paid at such times and in such installments as the receiver or the court may direct, subject, however, to the provisions of the subscription contract.

[4.] 5. A subscription for shares of a corporation to be organized is irrevocable for 6 months unless otherwise provided by the subscription agreement or unless all of the subscribers consent to the revocation of the subscription.

Sec. 18. NRS 78.235 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.235 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, every stockholder is entitled to have a certificate, signed by officers or agents designated by the corporation for the purpose, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the corporation.

2. Whenever any certificate is countersigned or otherwise authenticated by a transfer agent or transfer clerk, and by a registrar, then a facsimile of the signatures of the officers or agents, the transfer agent or transfer clerk or the registrar of the corporation may be printed or lithographed upon the certificate in lieu of the actual signatures. If a corporation uses facsimile signatures of its officers and agents on its stock certificates, it cannot act as registrar of its own stock, but its transfer agent and registrar may be identical if the institution acting in those dual capacities countersigns or otherwise authenticates any stock certificates in both capacities.

3. If any officer or officers who have signed, or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been used on, any certificate or certificates for stock cease to be an officer or officers of the corporation, whether because of death, resignation or other reason, before the certificate or certificates have been delivered by the corporation, the certificate or certificates may nevertheless be adopted by the corporation and be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed the certificate or certificates, or whose facsimile signature or signatures have been used thereon, had not ceased to be an officer or officers of the corporation.

4. [A corporation may provide in its] Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or [in its bylaws for] bylaws, the board of directors may authorize the issuance of uncertificated shares of some or all of the shares of any or all of its classes or series. The issuance of uncertificated shares has no effect on existing certificates for shares until surrendered to the corporation, or on the respective rights and obligations of the stockholders. Unless otherwise provided by a specific statute, the rights and obligations of stockholders are identical whether or not their shares of stock are represented by certificates.

5. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of shares without certificates, the corporation shall send the stockholder a written statement containing the information required on the certificates pursuant to subsection 1. At least annually thereafter, the corporation shall provide to its stockholders of record, a written statement confirming the information contained in the informational statement previously sent pursuant to this subsection.

6. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, a corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or, if authorized by the board of directors pursuant to subsection 4, uncertificated shares in place of a certificate previously issued by it and alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed. A corporation may require an owner or legal representative of an owner of a lost, stolen or destroyed certificate to give the corporation a bond or other security sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it for the alleged loss, theft or destruction of a certificate, or the issuance of a new certificate or uncertificated shares.

Sec. 19. NRS 78.257 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.257 1. Any person who has been a stockholder of record of any corporation and owns not less than 15 percent of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the stock of such corporation or has been authorized in writing by the holders of at least 15 percent of all its issued and outstanding shares, upon at least 5 days’ written demand, is entitled to inspect in person or by agent or attorney, during normal business hours, the books of account and all financial records of the corporation, to make [extracts therefrom,] copies of records, and to conduct an audit of such records. Holders of voting trust certificates representing 15 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of the corporation shall be regarded as stockholders for the purpose of this subsection. The right of stockholders to inspect the corporate records may not be limited in the articles or bylaws of any corporation.

2. All costs for making [extracts] copies of records or conducting an audit must be borne by the person exercising his rights [under] set forth in subsection 1.

3. The rights authorized by subsection 1 may be denied to any stockholder upon his refusal to furnish the corporation an affidavit that such inspection, [extracts] copies or audit is not desired for any purpose not related to his interest in the corporation as a stockholder. Any stockholder or other person, exercising rights [under] set forth in subsection 1, who uses or attempts to use information, documents, records or other data obtained from the corporation, for any purpose not related to the stockholder’s interest in the corporation as a stockholder, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

4. If any officer or agent of any corporation keeping records in this state willfully neglects or refuses to permit an inspection of the books of account and financial records upon demand by a person entitled to inspect them, or refuses to permit an audit to be conducted, as provided in subsection 1, the corporation shall forfeit to the state the sum of $100 for every day of such neglect or refusal, and the corporation, officer or agent thereof is jointly and severally liable to the person injured for all damages resulting to him.

5. A stockholder who brings an action or proceeding to enforce any right [under] set forth in this section or to recover damages resulting from its denial:

(a) Is entitled to costs and reasonable attorney’s fees, if he prevails; or

(b) Is liable for such costs and fees, if he does not prevail,

in the action or proceeding.

6. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the provisions of this section do not apply to any corporation listed and traded on any recognized stock exchange nor do they apply to any corporation that furnishes to its stockholders a detailed, annual financial statement. A person who owns, or is authorized in writing by the owners of, at least 15 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of the stock of a corporation that has elected to be governed by subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code and whose shares are not listed or traded on any recognized stock exchange is entitled to inspect the books of the corporation pursuant to subsection 1 and has the rights, duties and liabilities provided in subsections 2 to 5, inclusive.

Sec. 20. NRS 78.288 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.288 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 and the articles of incorporation, a board of directors may authorize and the corporation may make distributions to its stockholders[.] , including distributions on shares that are partially paid.

2. No distribution may be made if, after giving it effect:

(a) The corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business; or

(b) Except as otherwise specifically allowed by the articles of incorporation, the corporation’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were to be dissolved at the time of distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.

3. The board of directors may base a determination that a distribution is not prohibited [under] pursuant to subsection 2 on:

(a) Financial statements prepared on the basis of accounting practices that are reasonable in the circumstances;

(b) A fair valuation, including, but not limited to, unrealized appreciation and depreciation; or

4. The effect of a distribution [under] pursuant to subsection 2 must be measured:

(a) In the case of a distribution by purchase, redemption or other acquisition of the corporation’s shares, as of the earlier of:

(1) The date money or other property is transferred or debt incurred by the corporation; or

(2) The date upon which the stockholder ceases to be a stockholder with respect to the acquired shares.

(b) In the case of any other distribution of indebtedness, as of the date the indebtedness is distributed.

(1) The date the distribution is authorized if the payment occurs within 120 days after the date of authorization; or

(2) The date the payment is made if it occurs more than 120 days after the date of authorization.

5. A corporation’s indebtedness to a stockholder incurred by reason of a distribution made in accordance with this section is at parity with the corporation’s indebtedness to its general unsecured creditors except to the extent subordinated by agreement.

6. Indebtedness of a corporation, including indebtedness issued as a distribution, is not considered a liability for purposes of determinations [under] pursuant to subsection 2 if its terms provide that payment of principal and interest are made only if and to the extent that payment of a distribution to stockholders could then be made pursuant to this section. If the indebtedness is issued as a distribution, each payment of principal or interest must be treated as a distribution, the effect of which must be measured on the date the payment is actually made.

Sec. 21. NRS 78.310 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.310 1. Meetings of stockholders and directors of any corporation organized [under] pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may be held within or without this state, in the manner provided by the bylaws of the corporation. The articles of incorporation may designate any place or places where such stockholders’ or directors’ meetings may be held, but in the absence of any provision therefor in the articles of incorporation, then the meetings must be held within or without this state, as directed from time to time by the bylaws of the corporation.

2. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, the entire board of directors, any two directors or the president may call annual and special meetings of the stockholders and directors.

Sec. 22. NRS 78.315 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.315 1. Unless the articles of incorporation or the bylaws provide for a [different] greater or lesser proportion, a majority of the board of directors of the corporation then in office, at a meeting duly assembled, is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of directors holding a majority of the voting power of the directors, present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, is the act of the board of directors.

2. Unless otherwise restricted by the articles of incorporation or bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the board of directors or of a committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if, before or after the action, a written consent thereto is signed by all the members of the board or of the committee.

3. Unless otherwise restricted by the articles of incorporation or bylaws, members of the board of directors or the governing body of any corporation, or of any committee designated by such board or body, may participate in a meeting of the board, body or committee by means of a telephone conference or similar [method] methods of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this subsection constitutes presence in person at the meeting.

Sec. 23. NRS 78.320 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.320 1. Unless this chapter, the articles of incorporation or the bylaws provide for different proportions:

(a) A majority of the voting power, which includes the voting power that is present in person or by proxy, regardless of whether the proxy has authority to vote on all matters, constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business; and

(b) Action by the stockholders on a matter other than the election of directors is approved if the number of votes cast in favor of the action exceeds the number of votes cast in opposition to the action.

2. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting if, before or after the action, a written consent thereto is signed by stockholders holding at least a majority of the voting power, except that if a different proportion of voting power is required for such an action at a meeting, then that proportion of written consents is required.

3. In no instance where action is authorized by written consent need a meeting of stockholders be called or notice given.

4. Unless otherwise restricted by the articles of incorporation or bylaws, stockholders may participate in a meeting of stockholders by means of a telephone conference or similar [method] methods of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this subsection constitutes presence in person at the meeting.

5. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, if voting by a class or series of stockholders is permitted or required, a majority of the voting power of the class or series that is present in person or by proxy, regardless of whether the proxy has authority to vote on all matters, constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. An act by the stockholders of each class or series is approved if a majority of the voting power of a quorum of the class or series votes for the action.

Sec. 24. NRS 78.330 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.330 1. Unless elected pursuant to NRS 78.320, directors of every corporation must be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders by a plurality of the votes cast at the election. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter or in the bylaws, the board of directors [have] has the authority to set the date, time and place for the annual meeting of the stockholders. If for any reason directors are not elected pursuant to NRS 78.320 or at the annual meeting of the stockholders, they may be elected at any special meeting of the stockholders which is called and held for that purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, each director holds office after the expiration of his term until his successor is elected and qualified, or until he resigns or is removed.

2. The articles of incorporation or the bylaws may provide for the classification of directors as to the duration of their respective terms of office or as to their election by one or more authorized classes or series of shares, but at least one-fourth in number of the directors of every corporation must be elected annually. If an amendment reclassifying the directors would otherwise increase the term of a director, unless the amendment is to the articles of incorporation and otherwise provides, the term of each incumbent director on the effective date of the amendment terminates on the date it would have terminated had there been no reclassification.

3. The articles of incorporation may provide that the voting power of individual directors or classes of directors may be greater than or less than that of any other individual directors or classes of directors, and the different voting powers may be stated in the articles of incorporation or may be dependent upon any fact or event that may be ascertained outside the articles of incorporation if the manner in which the fact or event may operate on those voting powers is stated in the articles of incorporation. If the articles of incorporation provide that any directors may have voting power greater than or less than other directors, every reference in this chapter to a majority or other proportion of directors shall be deemed to refer to a majority or other proportion of the voting power of all of the directors or classes of directors, as may be required by the articles of incorporation.

Sec. 25. NRS 78.3783 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.3783 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, “acquisition” means the direct or indirect acquisition of a controlling interest.

2. “Acquisition” does not include any acquisition of shares in good faith, and without an intent to avoid the requirements of NRS 78.378 to 78.3793, inclusive:

(a) By an acquiring person authorized pursuant to NRS 78.378 to 78.3793, inclusive, to exercise voting rights, to the extent that the new acquisition does not result in the acquiring person obtaining a controlling interest greater than that previously authorized; or

(b) Pursuant to:

(1) The laws of descent and distribution;

(2) The enforcement of a judgment;

(3) The satisfaction of a pledge or other security interest; or

(4) A merger , exchange, conversion, domestication or reorganization effected in compliance with the provisions of NRS 78.622 , [or] 92A.200 to 92A.240, inclusive, or sections 109 to 115, inclusive, of this act to which the issuing corporation is a party.

Sec. 26. NRS 78.3791 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.3791 Except as otherwise provided by the articles of incorporation of the issuing corporation, a resolution of the stockholders granting voting rights to the control shares acquired by an acquiring person must be approved by:

1. The holders of a majority of the voting power of the corporation; and

2. If the acquisition will result in any change of the kind described in subsection [3] 2 of NRS 78.390, the holders of a majority of each class or series affected,

excluding those shares as to which any interested stockholder exercises voting rights.

Sec. 27. NRS 78.3793 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.3793 [1.] Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws of the issuing corporation in effect on the 10th day following the acquisition of a controlling interest by an acquiring person, if the control shares are accorded full voting rights pursuant to NRS 78.378 to 78.3793, inclusive, and the acquiring person has acquired control shares with a majority or more of all the voting power, any stockholder [of record,] , as that term is defined in NRS 92A.325, other than the acquiring person, [who has] whose shares are not voted in favor of authorizing voting rights for the control shares [is entitled to demand payment for] may dissent in accordance with the provisions of NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive, and obtain payment of the fair value of his shares.

[2. The board of directors of the issuing corporation shall, within 20 days after the vote of the stockholders authorizing voting rights for the control shares, cause a notice to be sent to any stockholder, other than the acquiring person, who has not voted in favor of authorizing voting rights for the control shares, advising him of the fact and of his right to receive fair value for his shares as provided in subsection 3.

3. Within 20 days after the mailing of the notice described in subsection 2, any stockholder of the corporation, other than the acquiring person, who has not voted in favor of authorizing voting rights for the control shares, may deliver to the registered office of the corporation a written demand that the corporation purchase, for fair value, all or any portion of his shares. The corporation shall comply with the demand within 30 days after its delivery.]

Sec. 28. NRS 78.380 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.380 1. At least two-thirds of the incorporators or of the board of directors of any corporation, before issuing any stock, may amend the [original] articles of incorporation[thereof as may be desired by executing or proving in the manner required for original articles of incorporation,] of the corporation by signing and filing with the secretary of state a certificate amending, modifying, changing or altering the [original] articles, in whole or in part. The certificate must state that:

(a) [Declare that the] The signers thereof are at least two-thirds of the incorporators or of the board of directors of the corporation, and state the [corporation’s name.] name of the corporation; and

(b) [State the date upon which the original articles thereof were filed with the secretary of state.

2. [The amendment] A certificate filed pursuant to this section is effective upon [the filing of] filing the certificate with the secretary of state or upon a later date specified in the certificate, which must not be later than 90 days after the certificate is filed.

3. If a certificate specifies an effective date and if no stock of the corporation has been issued, the board of directors may terminate the effectiveness of a certificate by filing a certificate of termination with the secretary of state that:

(a) Identifies the certificate being terminated;

(b) States that no stock of the corporation has been issued;

(d) Is signed by at least two-thirds of the board of directors of the corporation; and

(e) Is accompanied by the fee required pursuant to NRS 78.765.

4. This section does not permit the insertion of any matter not in conformity with this chapter.

Sec. 29. NRS 78.390 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.390 1. Every amendment adopted pursuant to the provisions of NRS 78.385 must be made in the following manner:

(a) The board of directors must adopt a resolution setting forth the amendment proposed and declaring its advisability, and either call a special meeting[, either annual or special,] of the stockholders entitled to vote on the amendment or direct that the proposed amendment be considered at the next annual meeting of the stockholders entitled to vote [for the consideration thereof.] on the amendment.

(b) At the meeting, of which notice must be given to each stockholder entitled to vote pursuant to the provisions of this section, a vote of the stockholders entitled to vote in person or by proxy must be taken for and against the proposed amendment. If it appears upon the canvassing of the votes that stockholders holding shares in the corporation entitling them to exercise at least a majority of the voting power, or such greater proportion of the voting power as may be required in the case of a vote by classes or series, as provided in subsections [3 and 5,] 2 and 4, or as may be required by the provisions of the articles of incorporation, have voted in favor of the amendment, [the president, or vice president, and secretary, or assistant secretary, shall execute] an officer of the corporation shall sign a certificate setting forth the amendment, or setting forth the articles of incorporation as amended, and the vote by which the amendment was adopted.

2. [Upon filing the certificate the articles of incorporation are amended accordingly.

3.] If any proposed amendment would adversely alter or change any preference or any relative or other right given to any class or series of outstanding shares, then the amendment must be approved by the vote, in addition to the affirmative vote otherwise required, of the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of each class or series adversely affected by the amendment regardless of limitations or restrictions on the voting power thereof.

[4.] 3. Provision may be made in the articles of incorporation requiring, in the case of any specified amendments, a larger proportion of the voting power of stockholders than that required by this section.

[5.] 4. Different series of the same class of shares do not constitute different classes of shares for the purpose of voting by classes except when the series is adversely affected by an amendment in a different manner than other series of the same class.

5. The resolution of the stockholders approving the proposed amendment may provide that at any time before the effective date of the amendment, notwithstanding approval of the proposed amendment by the stockholders, the board of directors may, by resolution, abandon the proposed amendment without further action by the stockholders.

6. A certificate filed pursuant to subsection 1 becomes effective upon filing with the secretary of state or upon a later date specified in the certificate, which must not be later than 90 days after the certificate is filed.

7. If a certificate filed pursuant to subsection 1 specifies an effective date and if the resolution of the stockholders approving the proposed amendment provides that the board of directors may abandon the proposed amendment pursuant to subsection 5, the board of directors may terminate the effectiveness of the certificate by resolution and by filing a certificate of termination with the secretary of state that:

(a) Is filed before the effective date specified in the certificate filed pursuant to subsection 1;

(b) Identifies the certificate being terminated;

(c) States that, pursuant to the resolution of the stockholders, the board of directors is authorized to terminate the effectiveness of the certificate;

(d) States that the effectiveness of the certificate has been terminated;

(e) Is signed by an officer of the corporation; and

(f) Is accompanied by a filing fee of $125.

Sec. 30. NRS 78.403 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.403 1. A corporation may restate, or amend and restate, in a single certificate the entire text of its articles of incorporation as amended by filing with the secretary of state a certificate[entitled “Restated Articles of Incorporation of ........,”] signed by an officer of the corporation which must set forth the articles as amended to the date of the certificate. If the certificate alters or amends the articles in any manner, it must comply with the provisions of [this chapter governing such amendments] NRS 78.380, 78.385 and 78.390, as applicable, and must be accompanied by:

(a) A resolution; or

(b) A form prescribed by the secretary of state,

setting forth which provisions of the articles of incorporation on file with the secretary of state are being altered or amended.

2. If the certificate does not alter or amend the articles, it must be signed by [the president or vice president and the secretary or assistant secretary] an officer of the corporation and state that [they have] he has been authorized to execute the certificate by resolution of the board of directors adopted on the date stated, and that the certificate correctly sets forth the text of the articles of incorporation as amended to the date of the certificate.

3. The following may be omitted from the restated articles:

(a) The names, addresses, signatures and acknowledgments of the incorporators;

(b) The names and addresses of the members of the past and present boards of directors; and

4. Whenever a corporation is required to file a certified copy of its articles, in lieu thereof it may file a certified copy of the most recent certificate restating its articles as amended, subject to the provisions of subsection 2, together with certified copies of all certificates of amendment filed subsequent to the restated articles and certified copies of all certificates supplementary to the original articles.

Sec. 31. NRS 78.565 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.565 [Every]

1. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, every corporation may, by action taken at any meeting of its board of directors, sell, lease or exchange all of its property and assets, including its good will and its corporate franchises, upon such terms and conditions as its board of directors may[deem expedient and for the best interests of the corporation,] approve, when and as authorized by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding stock in the corporation entitling them to exercise at least a majority of the voting power given at a stockholders’ meeting called for that purpose . [but:

1. The articles of incorporation may require the vote of a larger proportion of the stockholders and the separate vote or consent of any class of stockholders; and]

2. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation [provide otherwise, no] , a vote of stockholders is not necessary [for] :

(a) For a transfer of assets by way of mortgage, or in trust or in pledge to secure indebtedness of the corporation[.] ; or

(b) To abandon the sale, lease or exchange of assets.

Sec. 32. NRS 78.580 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.580 1. If the board of directors of any corporation organized under this chapter, after the issuance of stock or the beginning of business, decides that the corporation should be dissolved, the board may adopt a resolution to that effect. If the corporation has issued no stock, only the directors need to approve the dissolution. If the corporation has issued stock, the directors must recommend the dissolution to the stockholders. The corporation shall notify each stockholder entitled to vote on dissolution and the stockholders entitled to vote must approve the dissolution.

2. If the dissolution is approved by the directors or both the directors and stockholders, as respectively provided in subsection 1, the corporation shall file a certificate setting forth that the dissolution has been approved by the directors, or by the directors and the stockholders, and a list of the names and post office box or street addresses, either residence or business, of the corporation’s president, secretary and treasurer and all of its directors, certified by the president, or a vice president, and the secretary, or an assistant secretary, in the office of the secretary of state. [The secretary of state, upon being satisfied that these requirements have been complied with and that the corporate charter has not been revoked, shall issue a certificate that the corporation is dissolved.]

Sec. 33. NRS 78.622 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.622 1. If a corporation is under reorganization in a federal court pursuant to Title 11 of U.S.C., it may take any action necessary to carry out any proceeding and do any act directed by the court relating to reorganization, without further action by its directors or stockholders. This authority may be exercised by:

(a) The trustee in bankruptcy appointed by the court;

(b) Officers of the corporation designated by the court; or

with the same effect as if exercised by the directors and stockholders of the corporation.

2. By filing a [certified copy of the] confirmed plan of reorganization, certified by the bankruptcy court, with the secretary of state, the corporation may:

(a) Alter, amend or repeal its bylaws;

(b) Constitute or reconstitute and classify or reclassify its board of directors;

(c) Name, constitute or appoint directors and officers in place of or in addition to all or some of the directors or officers then in office;

(d) Amend its articles of incorporation;

(e) Make any change in its authorized and issued stock;

(f) Make any other amendment, change, alteration or provision authorized by this chapter; and

(g) Be dissolved, transfer all or part of its assets or merge or consolidate or make any other change authorized by this chapter.

3. In any action taken pursuant to subsections 1 and 2, a stockholder has no right to demand payment for his stock.

4. Any amendment of the articles of incorporation made pursuant to subsection 2 must be signed under penalty of perjury by the person authorized by the court and filed with the secretary of state. If the amendment is filed in accordance with the order of reorganization, it becomes effective when it is filed unless otherwise ordered by the court.

5. Any filing with the secretary of state pursuant to this section must be accompanied by the appropriate fee, if any.

Sec. 34. NRS 78.750 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.750 1. In any action commenced against any corporation in any court of this state, service of process may be made in the manner provided by law and rule of court for the service of civil process.

2. Service of process on a corporation whose charter has been revoked or which has been continued as a body corporate [under] pursuant to NRS 78.585 may be made by mailing copies of the process and any associated documents by certified mail, with return receipt requested, to:

(a) The resident agent of the corporation, if there is one; and

(b) Each officer and director of the corporation as named in the list last filed with the secretary of state before the dissolution or expiration of the corporation or the forfeiture of its charter.

The manner of serving process described in this subsection does not affect the validity of any other service authorized by law.

Sec. 35. NRS 78.751 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.751 1. Any discretionary indemnification [under] pursuant to NRS 78.7502 , unless ordered by a court or advanced pursuant to subsection 2, may be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances. The determination must be made:

(a) By the stockholders;

(b) By the board of directors by majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding;

(c) If a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding so orders, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or

(d) If a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding cannot be obtained, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion.

2. The articles of incorporation, the bylaws or an agreement made by the corporation may provide that the expenses of officers and directors incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding must be paid by the corporation as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. The provisions of this subsection do not affect any rights to advancement of expenses to which corporate personnel other than directors or officers may be entitled underany contract or otherwise by law.

3. The indemnification pursuant to NRS 78.7502 and advancement of expenses authorized in or ordered by a court pursuant to this section:

(a) Does not exclude any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the articles of incorporation or any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, for either an action in his official capacity or an action in another capacity while holding his office, except that indemnification, unless ordered by a court pursuant to NRS 78.7502 or for the advancement of expenses made pursuant to subsection 2, may not be made to or on behalf of any director or officer if a final adjudication establishes that his acts or omissions involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the law and was material to the cause of action.

(b) Continues for a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and inures to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

Sec. 36. NRS 78.760 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.760 1. The fee for filing articles of incorporation is prescribed in the following schedule:

If the amount represented by the total number of shares provided for in the articles [or agreement] is:

$25,000 or less................................................................................................... $125

Over $25,000 and not over $75,000................................................................... 175

Over $75,000 and not over $200,000................................................................. 225

Over $200,000 and not over $500,000............................................................... 325

Over $500,000 and not over $1,000,000............................................................ 425

Over $1,000,000:

For the first $1,000,000....................................................................................... 425

For each additional $500,000 or fraction thereof............................................ 225

2. The maximum fee which may be charged [under] pursuant to this section is $25,000 for:

(a) The original filing of articles of incorporation.

(b) A subsequent filing of any instrument which authorizes an increase in stock.

3. For the purposes of computing the filing fees according to the schedule in subsection 1, the amount represented by the total number of shares provided for in the articles of incorporation is:

(a) The aggregate par value of the shares, if only shares with a par value are therein provided for;

(b) The product of the number of shares multiplied by $1, regardless of any lesser amount prescribed as the value or consideration for which shares may be issued and disposed of, if only shares without par value are therein provided for; or

(c) The aggregate par value of the shares with a par value plus the product of the number of shares without par value multiplied by $1, regardless of any lesser amount prescribed as the value or consideration for which the shares without par value may be issued and disposed of, if shares with and without par value are therein provided for.

For the purposes of this subsection, shares with no prescribed par value shall be deemed shares without par value.

4. The secretary of state shall calculate filing fees pursuant to this section with respect to shares with a par value of less than one-tenth of a cent as if the par value were one-tenth of a cent.

Sec. 37. NRS 78.765 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.765 1. The fee for filing a certificate changing the number of authorized shares pursuant to NRS 78.209 or a certificate of amendment to articles of incorporation that increases the corporation’s authorized stock or a certificate of correction that increases the corporation’s authorized stock is the difference between the fee computed at the rates specified in NRS 78.760 upon the total authorized stock of the corporation, including the proposed increase, and the fee computed at the rates specified in NRS 78.760 upon the total authorized capital, excluding the proposed increase. In no case may the amount be less than $75.

2. The fee for filing a certificate of amendment to articles of incorporation that does not increase the corporation’s authorized stock or a certificate of correction that does not increase the corporation’s authorized stock is $75.

3. The fee for filing a certificate or an amended certificate pursuant to NRS 78.1955 is $75.

4. The fee for filing a certificate of termination pursuant to NRS 78.1955, 78.209 or 78.380 is $75.

Sec. 38. NRS 78.785 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78.785 1. The fee for filing a certificate of change of location of a corporation’s registered office and resident agent, or a new designation of resident agent, is $15.

2. The fee for certifying articles of incorporation where a copy is provided is $10.

3. The fee for certifying a copy of an amendment to articles of incorporation, or to a copy of the articles as amended, where a copy is furnished, is $10.

4. The fee for certifying an authorized printed copy of the general corporation law as compiled by the secretary of state is $10.

5. The fee for reserving a corporate name is $20.

6. The fee for executing a certificate of corporate existence which does not list the previous documents relating to the corporation, or a certificate of change in a corporate name, is [$15.] $20.

7. The fee for executing a certificate of corporate existence which lists the previous documents relating to the corporation is $20.

8. The fee for executing, certifying or filing any certificate or document not provided for in NRS 78.760 to 78.785, inclusive, is $20.

9. The fee for copies made at the office of the secretary of state is $1 per page.

10. The fee for filing articles of incorporation, articles of merger, or certificates of amendment increasing the basic surplus of a mutual or reciprocal insurer must be computed pursuant to NRS 78.760, 78.765 and [78.770,] 92A.210, on the basis of the amount of basic surplus of the insurer.

11. The fee for examining and provisionally approving any document at any time before the document is presented for filing is $100.

Sec. 39. NRS 78A.030 is hereby amended to read as follows:

78A.030 1. Any corporation organized under chapter 78 of NRS may become a close corporation pursuant to this chapter by executing, filing and recording, in accordance with NRS 78.390, a certificate of amendment of the certificate of incorporation which must:

(a) Contain a statement that the corporation elects to become a close corporation; and

(b) Meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of subsection 2 of NRS 78A.020.

2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, the amendment must be adopted in accordance with the requirements of NRS 78.380 or 78.390.

3. [The] If an amendment is adopted in accordance with the requirements of NRS 78.390, it must be approved by a vote of the holders of record of at least two-thirds of the shares of each class of stock of the corporation that are outstanding and entitled to vote, unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws require approval by a greater proportion.

Sec. 40. Chapter 80 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a new section to read as follows:

Before the issuance of stock, an incorporator or, after the issuance of stock, an officer of a foreign corporation may authorize the secretary of state in writing to replace any page of a document submitted for filing, on an expedited basis, before the actual filing, and to accept the page as if it were part of the originally signed filing.

Sec. 41. NRS 80.015 is hereby amended to read as follows:

80.015 1. For the purposes of this chapter, the following activities do not constitute doing business in this state:

(a) Maintaining, defending or settling any proceeding;

(b) Holding meetings of the board of directors or stockholders or carrying on other activities concerning internal corporate affairs;

(d) Maintaining offices or agencies for the transfer, exchange and registration of the corporation’s own securities or maintaining trustees or depositaries with respect to those securities;

(e) Making sales through independent contractors;

(f) Soliciting or receiving orders outside of this state through or in response to letters, circulars, catalogs or other forms of advertising, accepting those orders outside of this state and filling them by shipping goods into this state;

(g) Creating or acquiring indebtedness, mortgages and security interests in real or personal property;

(h) Securing or collecting debts or enforcing mortgages and security interests in property securing the debts;

(i) Owning, without more, real or personal property;

(j) Isolated transactions completed within 30 days and not a part of a series of similar transactions;

(k) The production of motion pictures as defined in NRS 231.020;

(l) Transacting business as an out-of-state depository institution pursuant to the provisions of Title 55 of NRS; and

(m) Transacting business in interstate commerce.

2. The list of activities in subsection 1 is not exhaustive.

3. A person who is not doing business in this state within the meaning of this section need not qualify or comply with any provision of [NRS 80.010 to 80.280, inclusive,] this chapter, chapter 645A, 645B or 645E of NRS or Title 55 or 56 of NRS unless he:

(a) Maintains an office in this state for the transaction of business; or

(b) Solicits or accepts deposits in the state, except pursuant to the provisions of chapter 666 or 666A of NRS.

4. As used in this section and for the purposes of NRS 80.016, “deposits” means demand deposits, savings deposits and time deposits, as those terms are defined in chapter 657 of NRS.

Sec. 42. NRS 80.025 is hereby amended to read as follows:

80.025 1. If a foreign corporation cannot qualify to do business in this state because its name does not meet the requirements of subsection 2 or 3 of NRS 80.010, it may apply for a certificate to do business by having its board of directors adopt a resolution setting forth the name under which the corporation elects to do business in this state. The resolution may:

(a) Add to the existing corporate name a word, abbreviation or other distinctive element; or

(b) Adopt a name different from its existing corporate name that is available for use in this state.

2. In addition to the documents required by subsection 1 of NRS 80.010, the corporation shall file a [certified copy of the resolution adopting] resolution certifying the adoption of the modified name.

3. If the secretary of state determines that the modified corporate name complies with the provisions of subsection 2 or 3 of NRS 80.010, he shall issue the certificate in the foreign corporation’s modified name if the foreign corporation otherwise qualifies to do business in this state.

4. A foreign corporation doing business in this state under a modified corporate name approved by the secretary of state shall use the modified name in its dealings and communications with the secretary of state.

Sec. 43. NRS 80.030 is hereby amended to read as follows:

80.030 1. Each foreign corporation admitted to do business in this state shall, within [30] 90 days after the filing of any document amendatory or otherwise relating to the original articles in the place of its creation, file in the office of the secretary of state:

(a) A copy of the document certified by an authorized officer of the place of its creation, or a certificate evidencing the filing, issued by the authorized officer of the place of its creation with whom the document was filed; and

(b) A statement of an officer of the corporation of the change reflected by the filing of the document, showing its relation to the name, authorized capital stock, or general purposes.

2. When a foreign corporation authorized to do business in this state becomes a constituent of a merger permitted by the laws of the state or country in which it is incorporated, it shall, within [30] 90 days after the merger becomes effective, file a copy of the agreement of merger filed in the place of its creation, certified by an authorized officer of the place of its creation, or a certificate, issued by the proper officer of the place of its creation, attesting to the occurrence of the event, in the office of the secretary of state.

3. The secretary of state may revoke the right of a foreign corporation to transact business in this state if it fails to file the documents required by this section or pay the fees incident to that filing.

Sec. 44. NRS 80.090 is hereby amended to read as follows:

80.090 If a foreign corporation doing business in this state maintains and keeps in the state a resident agent as provided by NRS 80.060 and files or has microfilmed the papers, documents and instruments required by NRS 80.010 to 80.040, inclusive, [it shall be] and section 40 of this act, the foreign corporation is entitled to the benefit of the laws of this state limiting the time for the commencement of civil actions.

Sec. 45. NRS 81.650 is hereby amended to read as follows:

81.650 1. The board of directors or trustees of any private foundation which is a corporation organized under and governed by Nevada law may, by a majority vote of its directors or trustees, amend its governing instrument at any regular or special meeting of the board of directors or trustees, without a vote of the stockholders or members of the private foundation, if any, in order to avoid the penalties and liabilities described in Sections 4941(a), 4942(a), 4943(a), 4944(a) and 4945(a) or to comply with the provisions of Section 508(e).

2. Such an amendment must not be made until the board of directors or trustees has notified the members or stockholders, if any, at least 30 days before the meeting at which the governing instrument is to be amended. [Notice of the intention to amend the governing instrument must be served upon the attorney general at least 30 days before the meeting, together with a copy of the proposed amended governing instrument.]

3. If the private foundation is a corporation organized under and governed by Nevada law, after any such amendment has been approved by the directors or trustees, a copy of the amended governing instrument must be filed with the secretary of state.

Sec. 46. Chapter 82 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a new section to read as follows:

An officer of a corporation or a director named in the original articles of incorporation may authorize the secretary of state in writing to replace any page of a document submitted for filing, on an expedited basis, before the actual filing, and to accept the page as if it were part of the originally signed filing.

Sec. 47. NRS 82.346 is hereby amended to read as follows:

82.346 1. If the first meeting of the directors has not taken place and if there are no members, a majority of the incorporators of a corporation may amend the original articles by executing and proving in the manner required for original articles, and filing with the secretary of state, a certificate amending, modifying, changing or altering the original articles, in whole or in part. The certificate must[:

(a) Declare that the] state that:

(a) The signers thereof are a majority of the original incorporators of the corporation; and

(b) [State the date upon which the original articles were filed with the secretary of state; and

(c) Affirmatively declare that to] As of the date of the certification no meeting of the directors has taken place and the corporation has no members other than the incorporators.

2. The amendment is effective upon the filing of the certificate with the secretary of state.

3. This section does not permit the insertion of any matter not in conformity with this chapter.

4. The secretary of state shall charge the fee allowed by law for filing the amended certificate of incorporation.

Sec. 48. NRS 82.371 is hereby amended to read as follows:

82.371 1. A corporation may restate, or amend and restate, in a single certificate the entire text of its articles as amended by filing with the secretary of state a certificate [entitled “Restated Articles of Incorporation of .............,”] which must set forth the articles as amended to the date of the certificate. If the certificate alters or amends the articles in any manner, it must comply with the provisions of [this chapter governing such amendments] NRS 82.346, 82.351 and 82.356, as applicable, and must be accompanied by:

(a) A resolution; or

(b) A form prescribed by the secretary of state,

setting forth which provisions of the articles of incorporation on file with the secretary of state are being altered or amended.

2. If the certificate does not alter or amend the articles, it must be signed by the chairman of the board or the president or vice president, and the secretary or assistant secretary, of the corporation and must state that they have been authorized to execute the certificate by resolution of the board of directors adopted on the date stated, and that the certificate correctly sets forth the text of the articles as amended to the date of the certificate.

3. The following may be omitted from the restated articles:

(a) The names, addresses, signatures and acknowledgments of the incorporators;

(b) The names and addresses of the members of the past and present board of directors; and

4. Whenever a corporation is required to file a certified copy of its articles, in lieu thereof it may file a certified copy of the most recent certificate restating its articles as amended, subject to the provisions of subsection 2, together with certified copies of all certificates of amendment filed after the restated articles and certified copies of all certificates supplementary to the original articles.

Sec. 49. NRS 82.446 is hereby amended to read as follows:

82.446 1. A corporation may be dissolved and its affairs wound up voluntarily by the written request of a majority of the members and any person or superior organization whose approval is required by a provision of the articles authorized by NRS 82.091. The request must:

(a) Be addressed to the directors.

(b) Specify reasons why the winding up of affairs of the corporation is deemed advisable.

(c) Name three persons who are members to act as trustees in liquidation and in winding up the affairs of the corporation. The act of a majority of the directors as trustees remaining in office is the act of the directors as trustees.

2. Upon filing of the request with the directors and in the offices of the secretary of state, all powers of the directors cease. [The secretary of state shall issue a certificate that the corporation is dissolved.]

Sec. 50. NRS 82.451 is hereby amended to read as follows:

82.451 1. A corporation may be dissolved and its affairs wound up voluntarily if the board of directors adopts a resolution to that effect and calls a meeting of the members entitled to vote to take action upon the resolution. The resolution must also be approved by any person or superior organization whose approval is required by a provision of the articles authorized by NRS 82.091. The meeting of the members must be held with due notice. If at the meeting the members entitled to exercise a majority of all the voting power consent by resolution to the dissolution, a [copy of the resolution,] certificate setting forth that the dissolution has been approved in compliance with this section, together with a list of the names and residences of the directors and officers, [certified] executed by the chairman of the board, president or vice president, and the secretary or an assistant secretary , must be filed in the office of the secretary of state.

2. If a corporation has no members entitled to vote upon a resolution calling for the dissolution of the corporation, the corporation may be dissolved and its affairs wound up voluntarily by the board of directors if it adopts a resolution to that effect. The resolution must also be approved by any person or superior organization whose approval is required by a provision of the articles authorized by NRS 82.091. A [copy of the resolution] certificate setting forth that the dissolution has been approved in compliance with this section and a list of the officers and directors, [certified] executed as provided in subsection 1, must be filed in the office of the secretary of state.

3. [Upon filing of the resolution or request in the office of the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall issue a certificate that the corporation is dissolved.

4.] Upon the dissolution of any corporation under the provisions of this section or upon the expiration of its period of corporate existence, the directors are the trustees of the corporation in liquidation and in winding up the affairs of the corporation. The act of a majority of the directors as trustees remaining in office is the act of the directors as trustees.

Sec. 51. Chapter 86 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto the provisions set forth as sections 52 to 70, inclusive, of this act.

Sec. 52. “Articles” and “articles of organization” are synonymous terms and, unless the context otherwise requires, include certificates and restated articles of organization filed pursuant to NRS 86.221 and articles of merger, conversion, exchange or domestication filed pursuant to NRS 92A.200 to 92A.240, inclusive, and sections 109 to 115, inclusive, of this act.

Sec. 53. “Noneconomic member” means a member of a limited-liability company who:

1. Does not own a member’s interest in the company;

2. Does not have an obligation to contribute capital to the company;

3. Does not have a right to participate in or receive distributions of profits of the company or an obligation to contribute to the losses of the company; and

4. May have voting rights and other rights and privileges given to noneconomic members of the company by the articles of organization or operating agreement.

Sec. 54. The provisions of this chapter may be amended or repealed at the pleasure of the legislature. A limited-liability company created pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or availing itself of any of the provisions of this chapter and all members and managers of the limited-liability company are bound by the amendment. An amendment or repeal does not take away or impair any remedy against a limited-liability company or its managers or members for a liability that has been previously incurred. The provisions of this chapter and all amendments thereof are a part of the articles of every limited-liability company.

Sec. 55. 1. A limited-liability company may correct a document filed by the secretary of state with respect to the limited-liability company if the document contains an inaccurate record of a company action described in the document or was defectively executed, attested, sealed, verified or acknowledged.

2. To correct a document, the limited-liability company must:

(a) Prepare a certificate of correction that:

(1) States the name of the limited-liability company;

(2) Describes the document, including, without limitation, its filing date;

(3) Specifies the inaccuracy or defect;

(4) Sets forth the inaccurate or defective portion of the document in an accurate or corrected form; and

(5) Is signed by a manager of the company, or if management is not vested in a manager, by a member of the company.

(b) Deliver the certificate to the secretary of state for filing.

Sec. 56. The articles of organization or operating agreement of a limited-liability company may create classes of members or managers, define their relative rights, powers and duties, and may authorize the creation, in the manner provided in the operating agreement, of additional classes of members or managers with the relative rights, powers and duties as may from time to time be established, including, without limitation, rights, powers and duties senior to existing classes of members or managers. The articles of organization or operating agreement may provide that any member, or class or group of members, has voting rights that differ from other classes or groups.

Sec. 57. Upon application by or for a member, the district court may decree dissolution of a limited-liability company whenever it is not reasonably practicable to carry on the business of the company in conformity with the articles of organization or operating agreement.

Sec. 58. A member who owns a member’s interest in a limited-liability company or a noneconomic member, when permitted by the terms of the articles of organization or operating agreement, may bring an action in the right of a limited-liability company to recover a judgment in its favor if managers or members with authority to do so have refused to bring the action or if an effort to cause those managers or members to bring the action is not likely to succeed.

Sec. 59. In a derivative action, the plaintiff must be a member who owns a member’s interest or a noneconomic member at the time of bringing the action and at the time of the transaction of which he complains.

Sec. 60. In a derivative action, the complaint must set forth with particularity:

1. The effort of the plaintiff to secure initiation of the action by a manager or member; or

2. The reasons for the plaintiff not making the effort to secure initiation of the action by a manager or member.

Sec. 61. If a derivative action is successful, in whole or in part, or if anything is received by the plaintiff as a result of a judgment, compromise or settlement of an action or claim, the court may award the plaintiff reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, and shall direct him to remit to the limited-liability company the remainder of those proceeds received by him.

Sec. 62. Subject to the constitution of this state:

1. The laws of the state, pursuant to which a foreign limited-liability company is organized, govern its organization, internal affairs and the liability of its managers and members; and

2. A foreign limited-liability company may not be denied registration by reason of any difference between the laws of the state of organization and the laws of this state.

Sec. 63. Before transacting business in this state, a foreign limited‑liability company must register with the secretary of state. In order to register, a foreign limited-liability company must submit to the secretary of state an application for registration as a foreign limited-liability company, signed by a manager of the company or, if management is not vested in a manager, a member of the company and a signed certificate of acceptance of a resident agent. The application for registration must set forth:

1. The name of the foreign limited-liability company and, if different, the name under which it proposes to register and transact business in this state;

2. The state and date of its formation;

3. The name and address of the resident agent whom the foreign limited‑liability company elects to appoint;

4. A statement that the secretary of state is appointed the agent of the foreign limited-liability company for service of process if the authority of the resident agent has been revoked, or if the resident agent has resigned or cannot be found or served with the exercise of reasonable diligence;

5. The address of the office required to be maintained in the state of its organization by the laws of that state or, if not so required, of the principal office of the foreign limited-liability company;

6. The name and business address of each manager or, if management is not vested in a manager, each member; and

7. The address of the office at which is kept a list of the names and addresses of the members and their capital contributions, together with an undertaking by the foreign limited-liability company to keep those records until the registration in this state of the foreign limited-liability company is canceled or withdrawn.

Sec. 64. If the secretary of state finds that an application for registration conforms to law and all requisite fees have been paid, he shall issue a certificate of registration to transact business in this state and mail it to the person who filed the application or his representative.

Sec. 65. A foreign limited-liability company may register with the secretary of state under any name, whether or not it is the name under which it is registered in its state of organization, which contains the words required by NRS 86.171 and which could be registered by a domestic limited-liability company.

Sec. 66. 1. A foreign limited-liability company may cancel its registration by filing with the secretary of state a certificate of cancellation signed by a manager of the company or, if management is not vested in a manager, a member of the company. The certificate, which must be accompanied by the required fees, must set forth:

(a) The name of the foreign limited-liability company;

(b) The date upon which its certificate of registration was filed;

(d) Any other information deemed necessary by the manager of the company or, if management is not vested in a manager, a member of the company.

2. A cancellation pursuant to this section does not terminate the authority of the secretary of state to accept service of process on the foreign limited-liability company with respect to causes of action arising from the transaction of business in this state by the foreign limited-liability company.

Sec. 67. 1. A foreign limited-liability company transacting business in this state may not maintain any action, suit or proceeding in any court of this state until it has registered in this state.

2. The failure of a foreign limited-liability company to register in this state does not impair the validity of any contract or act of the foreign limited‑liability company, or prevent the foreign limited-liability company from defending any action, suit or proceeding in any court of this state.

3. A foreign limited-liability company, by transacting business in this state without registration, appoints the secretary of state as its agent for service of process with respect to causes of action arising out of the transaction of business in this state by the foreign limited-liability company.

Sec. 68. The attorney general may bring an action to restrain a foreign limited-liability company from transacting business in this state in violation of this section and sections 62 to 67, inclusive, of this act.

Sec. 69. The articles of organization or operating agreement of a limited-liability company may provide for one or more noneconomic members or classes of noneconomic members.

Sec. 70. A manager or, if management of the company is not vested in a manager, a member of a limited-liability company may authorize the secretary of state in writing to replace any page of a document submitted for filing, on an expedited basis, before the actual filing, and to accept the page as if it were part of the originally signed filing.

Sec. 71. NRS 86.011 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.011 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS [86.021] 86.031 to 86.128, inclusive, and sections 52 and 53 of this act have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.

Sec. 72. NRS 86.081 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.081 “Member” means the owner of [an] a member’s interest in a limited-liability company[.] or a noneconomic member.

Sec. 73. NRS 86.201 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.201 1. [Upon filing the articles of organization and the certificate of acceptance of the resident agent, and the payment of filing fees, the] A limited-liability company is considered legally organized pursuant to this chapter[.] upon:

(a) Filing the articles of organization with the secretary of state or upon a later date specified in the articles of organization;

(b) Filing the certificate of acceptance of the resident agent with the secretary of state; and

2. A limited-liability company must not transact business or incur indebtedness, except that which is incidental to its organization or to obtaining subscriptions for or payment of contributions, until the [secretary of state has filed the articles of organization and the certificate of acceptance.] company is considered legally organized pursuant to subsection 1.

Sec. 74. NRS 86.221 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.221 1. The articles of organization of a limited-liability company may be amended for any purpose, not inconsistent with law, as determined by all of the members or permitted by the articles or an operating agreement.

2. An amendment must be made in the form of a certificate setting forth:

(a) The name of the limited-liability company;

(b) [The date of filing of the articles of organization;] Whether the limited‑liability company is managed by one or more managers or members; and

3. The certificate of amendment must be signed by a manager of the company [,] or , if management is not vested in a manager, by a member.

4. Restated articles of organization may be executed and filed in the same manner as a certificate of amendment. If the certificate alters or amends the articles in any manner, it must be accompanied by:

(a) A resolution; or

(b) A form prescribed by the secretary of state,

setting forth which provisions of the articles of organization on file with the secretary of state are being altered or amended.

Sec. 75. NRS 86.226 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.226 1. A signed certificate of amendment, or a certified copy of a judicial decree of amendment, must be filed with the secretary of state. A person who executes a certificate as an agent, officer or fiduciary of the limited-liability company need not exhibit evidence of his authority as a prerequisite to filing. Unless the secretary of state finds that a certificate does not conform to law, upon his receipt of all required filing fees he shall file the certificate.

2. [Upon the filing of a] A certificate of amendment or judicial decree of amendment [in the office of] is effective upon filing with the secretary of state[, the articles of organization are amended as set forth therein.] or upon a later date specified in the certificate or judicial decree, which must not be more than 90 days after the certificate or judicial decree is filed.

3. If a certificate specifies an effective date and if the resolution of the members approving the proposed amendment provides that one or more managers or, if management is not vested in a manager, one or more members may abandon the proposed amendment, then those managers or members may terminate the effectiveness of the certificate by filing a certificate of termination with the secretary of state that:

(a) Is filed before the effective date specified in the certificate or judicial decree filed pursuant to subsection 1;

(b) Identifies the certificate being terminated;

(c) States that, pursuant to the resolution of the members, the manager of the company or, if management is not vested in a manager, a designated member is authorized to terminate the effectiveness of the certificate;

(d) States that the effectiveness of the certificate has been terminated;

(e) Is signed by a manager of the company or, if management is not vested in a manager, a designated member; and

(f) Is accompanied by a filing fee of $125.

Sec. 76. NRS 86.274 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.274 1. The secretary of state shall notify, by letter addressed to its resident agent, each limited-liability company deemed in default pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. The notice must be accompanied by a statement indicating the amount of the filing fee, penalties and costs remaining unpaid.

2. On the first [day of the ninth month] anniversary of the month following the month in which the filing was required, the charter of the company is revoked and its right to transact business is forfeited.

3. The secretary of state shall compile a complete list containing the names of all limited-liability companies whose right to do business has been forfeited. The secretary of state shall forthwith notify each limited-liability company by letter addressed to its resident agent of the forfeiture of its charter. The notice must be accompanied by a statement indicating the amount of the filing fee, penalties and costs remaining unpaid.

4. If the charter of a limited-liability company is revoked and the right to transact business is forfeited, all of the property and assets of the defaulting company must be held in trust by the managers or, if none, by the members of the company, and the same proceedings may be had with respect to its property and assets as apply to the dissolution of a limited-liability company[.] pursuant to NRS 86.505 and 86.521. Any person interested may institute proceedings at any time after a forfeiture has been declared, but if the secretary of state reinstates the charter the proceedings must be dismissed and all property restored to the company.

5. If the assets are distributed they must be applied in the following manner:

(a) To the payment of the filing fee, penalties and costs due to the state; and

(b) To the payment of the creditors of the company.

Any balance remaining must be distributed among the members as provided in subsection 1 of NRS 86.521.

Sec. 77. NRS 86.276 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.276 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 3 and 4, the secretary of state shall reinstate any limited-liability company which has forfeited its right to transact business [under] pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and restore to the company its right to carry on business in this state, and to exercise its privileges and immunities, if it:

(a) Files with the secretary of state the list required by NRS 86.263; and

(b) Pays to the secretary of state:

(1) The annual filing fee and penalty set forth in NRS 86.263 and 86.272 for each year or portion thereof during which [its charter has been revoked;] it failed to file in a timely manner each required annual list; and

(2) A fee of $50 for reinstatement.

2. When the secretary of state reinstates the limited-liability company, he shall:

(a) Immediately issue and deliver to the company a certificate of reinstatement authorizing it to transact business as if the filing fee had been paid when due; and

(b) Upon demand, issue to the company one or more certified copies of the certificate of reinstatement.

4. If a company’s charter has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and has remained revoked for a period of 5 consecutive years, the charter must not be reinstated.

Sec. 78. NRS 86.281 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.281 A limited-liability company organized and existing [under] pursuant to this chapter may[:] exercise the powers and privileges granted by this chapter and may:

1. Sue and be sued, complain and defend, in its name;

2. Purchase, take, receive, lease or otherwise acquire, own, hold, improve, use and otherwise deal in and with real or personal property, or an interest in it, wherever situated;

3. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, transfer and otherwise dispose of all or any part of its property and assets;

4. Lend money to and otherwise assist its members;

5. Purchase, take, receive, subscribe for or otherwise acquire, own, hold, vote, use, employ, sell, mortgage, lend, pledge or otherwise dispose of, and otherwise use and deal in and with shares, member’s interests or other interests in or obligations of domestic or foreign limited-liability companies, domestic or foreign corporations, joint ventures or similar associations, general or limited partnerships or natural persons, or direct or indirect obligations of the United States or of any government, state, territory, governmental district or municipality or of any instrumentality of it;

6. Make contracts and guarantees and incur liabilities, borrow money at such rates of interest as the company may determine, issue its notes, bonds and other obligations and secure any of its obligations by mortgage or pledge of all or any part of its property, franchises and income;

7. Lend, invest and reinvest its money and take and hold real property and personal property for the payment of money so loaned or invested;

8. Conduct its business, carry on its operations and have and exercise the powers granted by this chapter in any state, territory, district or possession of the United States, or in any foreign country;

9. Appoint managers and agents, define their duties and fix their compensation;

10. Cease its activities and surrender its articles of organization;

11. Exercise all powers necessary or convenient to effect any of the purposes for which the company is organized; and

12. Hold a license issued pursuant to the provisions of chapter 463 of NRS.

Sec. 79. NRS 86.286 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.286 1. A limited-liability company may, but is not required to, adopt an operating agreement. An operating agreement may be adopted only by the unanimous vote or unanimous written consent of the members, or by the sole member, and the operating agreement must be in writing. Unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, amendments to the agreement may be adopted only by the unanimous vote or unanimous written consent of the persons who are members at the time of amendment.

2. An operating agreement may be adopted before, after or at the time of the filing of the articles of organization and, whether entered into before, after or at the time of the filing, may become effective at the formation of the limited-liability company or at a later date specified in the operating agreement. If an operating agreement is adopted before the filing of the articles of organization or before the effective date of formation specified in the articles of organization, the operating agreement is not effective until the effective date of formation of the limited-liability company.

3. An operating agreement may provide that a certificate of limited‑liability company interest issued by the limited-liability company may evidence a member’s interest in a limited-liability company.

Sec. 80. NRS 86.291 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.291 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section[,] or the articles of organization , [or the operating agreement,] management of a limited‑liability company is vested in its members in proportion to their contribution to its capital, as adjusted from time to time to reflect properly any additional contributions or withdrawals by the members.

2. If provision is made in the articles of organization, management of the company may be vested in a manager or managers, who may but need not be members, in the manner prescribed by the operating agreement of the company. The manager or managers also hold the offices and have the responsibilities accorded to them by the members and set out in the operating agreement.

Sec. 81. NRS 86.301 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.301 Except as otherwise provided in this chapter , [or] in its articles of organization[,] or its operating agreement, no debt may be contracted or liability incurred by or on behalf of a limited-liability company, except by one or more of its managers if management of the limited-liability company has been vested by the members in a manager or managers or, if management of the limited-liability company is retained by the members, then [as provided in the articles of organization or the operating agreement.] by any member.

Sec. 82. NRS 86.343 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.343 1. A distribution of the profits and contributions of a limited‑liability company must not be made if, after giving it effect:

(a) The company would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business; or

(b) Except as otherwise specifically permitted by the articles of organization, the total assets of the company would be less than the sum of its total liabilities.

2. The manager or, if management of the company is not vested in a manager or managers, the members may base a determination that a distribution is not prohibited [under] pursuant to this section on:

(a) Financial statements prepared on the basis of accounting practices that are reasonable in the circumstances;

(b) A fair valuation, including unrealized appreciation and depreciation; or

3. The effect of a distribution [under] pursuant to this section must be measured:

(a) In the case of a distribution by purchase, redemption or other acquisition by the company of member’s interests, as of the earlier of:

(1) The date on which money or other property is transferred or debt incurred by the company; or

(2) The date on which the member ceases to be a member with respect to his acquired interest.

(b) In the case of any other distribution of indebtedness, as of the date on which the indebtedness is distributed.

(1) The date on which the distribution is authorized if the payment occurs within 120 days after the date of authorization; or

(2) The date on which the payment is made if it occurs more than 120 days after the date of authorization.

4. Indebtedness of the company, including indebtedness issued as a distribution, is not considered a liability for purposes of determinations [under] pursuant to this section if its terms provide that payment of principal and interest are to be made only if and to the extent that payment of a distribution to the members could then be made pursuant to this section. If the indebtedness is issued as a distribution, each payment of principal or interest must be treated as a distribution, the effect of which must be measured as of the date of payment.

5. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 6, a member who receives a distribution in violation of this section is liable to the limited-liability company for the amount of the distribution. This subsection does not affect the validity of an obligation or liability of a member created by an agreement or other applicable law for the amount of a distribution.

6. Unless otherwise agreed, a member who receives a distribution from a limited-liability company is not liable for the amount of the distribution after the expiration of 3 years after the date of the distribution unless an action to recover the distribution from the member is commenced before the expiration of the 3-year period following the distribution.

Sec. 83. NRS 86.351 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.351 1. The interest of each member of a limited-liability company is personal property. The articles of organization or operating agreement may prohibit or regulate the transfer of a member’s interest. Unless otherwise provided in the articles or operating agreement, a transferee of a member’s interest has no right to participate in the management of the business and affairs of the company or to become a member unless a majority in interest of the other members approve the transfer. If so approved, the transferee becomes a substituted member. The transferee is only entitled to receive the share of profits or other compensation by way of income, and the return of contributions, to which his transferor would otherwise be entitled.

2. A substituted member has all the rights and powers and is subject to all the restrictions and liabilities of his transferor, except that the substitution of the transferee does not release the transferor from any liability to the company.

Sec. 84. NRS 86.391 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.391 1. A member is liable to a limited-liability company:

(a) For a difference between his contributions to capital as actually made and as stated in the articles of organization or operating agreement as having been made; and

(b) For any unpaid contribution to capital which he agreed in the articles of organization or operating agreement to make in the future at the time and on the conditions stated in the articles of organization or operating agreement.

2. A member holds as trustee for the company[:

(a) Specific] specific property stated in the articles of organization or operating agreement as contributed by him, but which was not so contributed [or which has been wrongfully or erroneously returned; and

(b) Money or other property wrongfully paid or conveyed to him on account of his contribution or the contribution of a predecessor with respect to his member’s interest.]

3. The liabilities of a member as set out in this section can be waived or compromised only by the consent of all of the members, but a waiver or compromise does not affect the right of a creditor of the company to enforce the liabilities if he extended credit or his claim arose before the effective date of an amendment of the articles of organization or operating agreement effecting the waiver or compromise.

[4. When a contributor has rightfully received the return in whole or in part of his contribution to capital, the contributor is liable to the company for any sum, not in excess of the return with interest, necessary to discharge its liability to all of its creditors who extended credit or whose claims arose before the return.]

Sec. 85. NRS 86.401 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.401 1. On application to a court of competent jurisdiction by a judgment creditor of a member, the court may charge the member’s interest with payment of the unsatisfied amount of the judgment with interest. To the extent so charged, the judgment creditor has only the rights of an assignee of the member’s interest.

2. The court may appoint a receiver of the share of the distributions due or to become due to the judgment debtor in respect of the limited-liability company. The receiver has only the rights of an assignee. The court may make all other orders, directions, accounts and inquiries that the judgment debtor might have made or which the circumstances of the case may require.

3. A charging order constitutes a lien on the member’s interest of the judgment debtor. The court may order a foreclosure of the member’s interest subject to the charging order at any time. The purchaser at the foreclosure sale has only the rights of an assignee.

4. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, at any time before foreclosure, a member’s interest charged may be redeemed:

(a) By the judgment debtor;

(b) With property other than property of the limited-liability company, by one or more of the other members; or

5. This section provides the exclusive remedy by which a judgment creditor of a member or an assignee of a member may satisfy a judgment out of the member’s interest of the judgment debtor.

6. No creditor of a member has any right to obtain possession of, or otherwise exercise legal or equitable remedies with respect to, the property of the limited-liability company.

7. This section does not deprive any member of the benefit of any exemption applicable to his interest.

Sec. 86. NRS 86.491 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.491 1. A limited-liability company organized [under] pursuant to this chapter must be dissolved and its affairs wound up:

[1.] (a) At the time, if any, specified in the articles of organization;

[2.] (b) Upon the occurrence of an event specified in an operating agreement; [or

3. By the unanimous written agreement of all members.]

(c) Unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, upon the affirmative vote or written agreement of all the members; or

(d) Upon entry of a decree of judicial dissolution pursuant to section 57 of this act.

2. Except as otherwise provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, the death, retirement, resignation, expulsion, bankruptcy, dissolution or dissociation of a member or any other event affecting a member, including, without limitation, a sole member, does not:

(a) Terminate the status of the person as a member; or

(b) Cause the limited-liability company to be dissolved or its affairs to be wound up.

3. Except as otherwise provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, upon the death of a natural person who is the sole member of a limited-liability company, the status of the member, including the member’s interest, may pass to the heirs, successors and assigns of the member by will or applicable law. The heir, successor or assign of the member’s interest becomes a substituted member pursuant to NRS 86.351, subject to administration as provided by applicable law, without the permission or consent of the heirs, successors or assigns or those administering the estate of the deceased member.

Sec. 87. NRS 86.541 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.541 1. The signed articles of dissolution must be filed with the secretary of state. [Unless the secretary of state finds that the articles of dissolution do not conform to law, he shall when all fees and license taxes prescribed by law have been paid issue a certificate that the limited-liability company is dissolved.] Articles of dissolution become effective upon filing with the secretary of state.

2. Upon the filing of the articles of dissolution the existence of the company ceases, except for the purpose of suits, other proceedings and appropriate action as provided in this chapter. The manager or managers in office at the time of dissolution, or the survivors of them, are thereafter trustees for the members and creditors of the dissolved company and as such have authority to distribute any property of the company discovered after dissolution, convey real estate and take such other action as may be necessary on behalf of and in the name of the dissolved company.

Sec. 88. NRS 86.561 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.561 1. The secretary of state shall charge and collect for:

(a) Filing the original articles of organization, or for registration of a foreign company, $125;

(b) Amending or restating the articles of organization, [or] amending the registration of a foreign company[,] or filing a certificate of correction, $75;

(d) Filing a statement of change of address of a records or registered office, or change of the resident agent, $15;

(e) Certifying articles of organization or an amendment to the articles, in both cases where a copy is provided, $10;

(f) Certifying an authorized printed copy of this chapter, $10;

(g) Reserving a name for a limited-liability company, $20;

(h) Filing a certificate of cancellation, $30;

(i) Executing, filing or certifying any other document, $20; and

[(i)] (j) Copies made at the office of the secretary of state, $1 per page.

2. The secretary of state shall charge and collect at the time of any service of process on him as agent for service of process of a limited-liability company, $10 which may be recovered as taxable costs by the party to the action causing the service to be made if the party prevails in the action.

3. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the fees set forth in NRS 78.785 apply to this chapter.

Sec. 89. NRS 86.580 is hereby amended to read as follows:

86.580 1. A limited-liability company which did exist or is existing [under] pursuant to the laws of this state may, upon complying with the provisions of NRS 86.276, procure a renewal or revival of its charter for any period, together with all the rights, franchises, privileges and immunities, and subject to all its existing and preexisting debts, duties and liabilities secured or imposed by its original charter and amendments thereto, or existing charter, by filing:

(a) A certificate with the secretary of state, which must set forth:

(1) The name of the limited-liability company, which must be the name of the limited-liability company at the time of the renewal or revival, or its name at the time its original charter expired.

(2) The name of the person designated as the resident agent of the limited-liability company, his street address for the service of process, and his mailing address if different from his street address.

(3) The date when the renewal or revival of the charter is to commence or be effective, which may be, in cases of a revival, before the date of the certificate.

(4) Whether or not the renewal or revival is to be perpetual, and, if not perpetual, the time for which the renewal or revival is to continue.

(5) That the limited-liability company desiring to renew or revive its charter is, or has been, organized and carrying on the business authorized by its existing or original charter and amendments thereto, and desires to renew or continue through revival its existence pursuant to and subject to the provisions of this chapter.

(b) A list of its managers, or if there are no managers, all its managing members and their post office box or street addresses, either residence or business.

2. A limited-liability company whose charter has not expired and is being renewed shall cause the certificate to be signed by its manager, or if there is no manager, by a person designated by its members. The certificate must be approved by a majority [of the members.] in interest.

3. A limited-liability company seeking to revive its original or amended charter shall cause the certificate to be signed by a person or persons designated or appointed by the members. The execution and filing of the certificate must be approved by the written consent of a majority [of the members] in interest and must contain a recital that this consent was secured. The limited-liability company shall pay to the secretary of state the fee required to establish a new limited-liability company pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

4. The filed certificate, or a copy thereof which has been certified under the hand and seal of the secretary of state, must be received in all courts and places as prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated and of the existence of the limited-liability company therein named.

Sec. 90. Chapter 87 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a new section to read as follows:

1. A limited-liability partnership may correct a document filed by the secretary of state with respect to the limited-liability partnership if the document contains an inaccurate record of a partnership action described in the document or was defectively executed, attested, sealed, verified or acknowledged.

2. To correct a document, the limited-liability partnership must:

(a) Prepare a certificate of correction that:

(1) States the name of the limited-liability partnership;

(2) Describes the document, including, without limitation, its filing date;

(3) Specifies the inaccuracy or defect;

(4) Sets forth the inaccurate or defective portion of the document in an accurate or corrected form; and

(5) Is signed by a managing partner of the limited-liability partnership.

(b) Deliver the certificate to the secretary of state for filing.

Sec. 91. NRS 87.550 is hereby amended to read as follows:

87.550 In addition to any other fees required by NRS 87.440 to 87.540, inclusive, and 87.560, the secretary of state shall charge and collect the following fees for services rendered pursuant to those sections:

1. For certifying documents required by NRS 87.440 to 87.540, inclusive, and 87.560, $10 per certification.

2. For executing a certificate verifying the existence of a registered limited-liability partnership, if the registered limited-liability partnership has not filed a certificate of amendment, [$15.] $20.

3. For executing a certificate verifying the existence of a registered limited-liability partnership, if the registered limited-liability partnership has filed a certificate of amendment, $20.

4. For executing, certifying or filing any certificate or document not required by NRS 87.440 to 87.540, inclusive, and 87.560, $20.

5. For any copies made by the office of the secretary of state, $1 per page.

6. For examining and provisionally approving any document before the document is presented for filing, $100.

Sec. 92. Chapter 88 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto the provisions set forth as sections 93 and 94 of this act.

Sec. 93. 1. A limited partnership may correct a document filed by the secretary of state with respect to the limited partnership if the document contains an inaccurate record of a partnership action described in the document or was defectively executed, attested, sealed, verified or acknowledged.

2. To correct a document, the limited partnership must:

(a) Prepare a certificate of correction that:

(1) States the name of the limited partnership;

(2) Describes the document, including, without limitation, its filing date;

(3) Specifies the inaccuracy or defect;

(4) Sets forth the inaccurate or defective portion of the document in an accurate or corrected form; and

(5) Is signed by a general partner of the limited partnership.

(b) Deliver the certificate to the secretary of state for filing.

Sec. 94. A general partner of a limited partnership may authorize the secretary of state in writing to replace any page of a document submitted for filing, on an expedited basis, before the actual filing, and to accept the page as if it were part of the originally signed filing.

Sec. 95. NRS 88.320 is hereby amended to read as follows:

88.320 1. The name proposed for a limited partnership as set forth in its certificate of limited partnership:

(a) Must contain [without abbreviation] the words “limited partnership”[;] , or the abbreviation “LP” or “L.P.”

(b) May not contain the name of a limited partner unless:

(1) It is also the name of a general partner or the corporate name of a corporate general partner; or

(2) The business of the limited partnership had been carried on under that name before the admission of that limited partner; and

(c) Must be distinguishable on the records of the secretary of state from the names of all other artificial persons formed, organized, registered or qualified pursuant to the provisions of this Title that are on file in the office of the secretary of state and all names that are reserved in the office of the secretary of state pursuant to the provisions of this Title. If the name on the certificate of limited partnership submitted to the secretary of state is not distinguishable from any name on file or reserved name, the secretary of state shall return the certificate to the filer, unless the written, acknowledged consent to the use of the same or the requested similar name of the holder of the name on file or reserved name accompanies the certificate of limited partnership.

2. For the purposes of this section, a proposed name is not distinguished from a name on file or reserved name solely because one or the other contains distinctive lettering, a distinctive mark, a trade-mark or a trade name, or any combination of these.

3. The name of a limited partnership whose right to transact business has been forfeited, which has merged and is not the surviving entity or whose existence has otherwise terminated is available for use by any other artificial person.

4. The secretary of state may adopt regulations that interpret the requirements of this section.

Sec. 96. NRS 88.355 is hereby amended to read as follows:

88.355 1. A certificate of limited partnership is amended by filing a certificate of amendment thereto in the office of the secretary of state. The certificate must set forth:

(a) The name of the limited partnership; and

(b) [The date of filing of the certificate of limited partnership; and

(c)] The amendment.

2. Within 30 days after the happening of any of the following events an amendment to a certificate of limited partnership reflecting the occurrence of the event or events must be filed:

(a) The admission of a new general partner;

(b) The withdrawal of a general partner; or

3. A general partner who becomes aware that any statement in a certificate of limited partnership was false when made or that any arrangements or other facts described, except the address of its office or the name or address of its resident agent, have changed, making the certificate inaccurate in any respect, shall promptly amend the certificate.

4. A certificate of limited partnership may be amended at any time for any other proper purpose the general partners determine.

5. No person has any liability because an amendment to a certificate of limited partnership has not been filed to reflect the occurrence of any event referred to in subsection 2 if the amendment is filed within the 30-day period specified in subsection 2.

6. A restated certificate of limited partnership may be executed and filed in the same manner as a certificate of amendment. If the certificate alters or amends the certificate of limited partnership in any manner, it must be accompanied by:

(a) A resolution; or

(b) A form prescribed by the secretary of state,

setting forth which provisions of the certificate of limited partnership on file with the secretary of state are being altered or amended.

Sec. 97. NRS 88.395 is hereby amended to read as follows:

88.395 1. A limited partnership shall annually, on or before the last day of the month in which the anniversary date of the filing of its certificate of limited partnership occurs, file with the secretary of state, on a form furnished by him, a list containing:

(a) The name of the limited partnership;

(b) The file number of the limited partnership, if known;

(d) The mailing or street address, either residence or business, of each general partner; and

(e) The signature of a general partner of the limited partnership certifying that the list is true, complete and accurate.

2. Upon filing the list of general partners, the limited partnership shall pay to the secretary of state a fee of $85.

3. The secretary of state shall, 60 days before the last day for filing the list required by subsection 1, cause to be mailed to each limited partnership required to comply with the provisions of this section which has not become delinquent a notice of the fee due pursuant to the provisions of subsection 2 and a reminder to file the annual list. Failure of any limited partnership to receive a notice or form does not excuse it from the penalty imposed by NRS 88.400.

4. If the list to be filed pursuant to the provisions of subsection 1 is defective or the fee required by subsection 2 is not paid, the secretary of state may return the list for correction or payment.

5. An annual list for a limited partnership not in default that is received by the secretary of state more than 60 days before its due date shall be deemed an amended list for the previous year and does not satisfy the requirements of subsection 1 for the year to which the due date is applicable.

6. A filing made pursuant to this section does not satisfy the provisions of NRS 88.355 and may not be substituted for filings submitted pursuant to NRS 88.355.

Sec. 98. NRS 88.400 is hereby amended to read as follows:

88.400 1. If a [corporation] limited partnership has filed the list in compliance with NRS 88.395 and has paid the appropriate fee for the filing, the canceled check received by the limited partnership constitutes a certificate authorizing it to transact its business within this state until the anniversary date of the filing of its certificate of limited partnership in the next succeeding calendar year. If the limited partnership desires a formal certificate upon its payment of the annual fee, its payment must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

2. Each limited partnership which refuses or neglects to file the list and pay the fee within the time provided is in default.

3. For default there must be added to the amount of the fee a penalty of $15, and unless the filings are made and the fee and penalty are paid on or before the first day of the ninth month following the month in which filing was required, the defaulting limited partnership, by reason of its default, forfeits its right to transact any business within this state.

Sec. 99. NRS 88.405 is hereby amended to read as follows:

88.405 1. The secretary of state shall notify, by letter addressed to its resident agent, each defaulting limited partnership. The notice must be accompanied by a statement indicating the amount of the filing fee, penalties and costs remaining unpaid.

2. Immediately after the first [day of the ninth month following] anniversary of the month following the month in which filing was required, the certificate of the limited partnership is revoked. The secretary of state shall compile a complete list containing the names of all limited partnerships whose right to do business has been forfeited. The secretary of state shall notify, by letter addressed to its resident agent, each limited partnership of the revocation of its certificate. The notice must be accompanied by a statement indicating the amount of the filing fee, penalties and costs remaining unpaid.

3. In case of revocation of the certificate and of the forfeiture of the right to transact business thereunder,all the property and assets of the defaulting domestic limited partnership are held in trust by the general partners, and the same proceedings may be had with respect thereto as for the judicial dissolution of a limited partnership. Any person interested may institute proceedings at any time after a forfeiture has been declared, but if the secretary of state reinstates the limited partnership the proceedings must at once be dismissed and all property restored to the general partners.

Sec. 100. NRS 88.535 is hereby amended to read as follows:

88.535 1. On application to a court of competent jurisdiction by any judgment creditor of a partner, the court may charge the partnership interest of the partner with payment of the unsatisfied amount of the judgment with interest. To the extent so charged, the judgment creditor has only the rights of an assignee of the partnership interest.

2. The court may appoint a receiver of the share of the distributions due or to become due to the judgment debtor in respect of the partnership. The receiver has only the rights of an assignee. The court may make all other orders, directions, accounts and inquiries that the judgment debtor might have made or which the circumstances of the case may require.

3. A charging order constitutes a lien on the partnership interest of the judgment debtor. The court may order a foreclosure of the partnership interest subject to the charging order at any time. The purchaser at the foreclosure sale has only the rights of an assignee.

4. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, at any time before foreclosure, a partnership interest charged may be redeemed:

(a) By the judgment debtor;

(b) With property other than property of the limited partnership, by one or more of the other partners; or

5. This section provides the exclusive remedy by which a judgment creditor of a partner or an assignee of a partner may satisfy a judgment out of the partnership interest of the judgment debtor.

6. No creditor of a partner has any right to obtain possession of, or otherwise exercise legal or equitable remedies with respect to, the property of the limited partnership.

7. This [chapter] section does not deprive any partner of the benefit of any exemption laws applicable to his partnership interest.

Sec. 101. Chapter 88A of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto the provisions set forth as sections 102 and 103 of this act.

Sec. 102. 1. A business trust may correct a document filed by the secretary of state with respect to the business trust if the document contains an inaccurate record of a trust action described in the document or was defectively executed, attested, sealed, verified or acknowledged.

2. To correct a document, the business trust must:

(a) Prepare a certificate of correction that:

(1) States the name of the business trust;

(2) Describes the document, including, without limitation, its filing date;

(3) Specifies the inaccuracy or defect;

(4) Sets forth the inaccurate or defective portion of the document in an accurate or corrected form; and

(5) Is signed by a trustee of the business trust.

(b) Deliver the certificate to the secretary of state for filing.

Sec. 103. A trustee of a business trust may authorize the secretary of state in writing to replace any page of a document submitted for filing, on an expedited basis, before the actual filing, and to accept the page as if it were part of the originally signed filing.

Sec. 104. NRS 88A.030 is hereby amended to read as follows:

88A.030 “Business trust” means an unincorporated association which:

1. Is created by a trust instrument under which property is held, managed, controlled, invested, reinvested or operated, or any combination of these, or business or professional activities for profit are carried on, by a trustee for the benefit of the persons entitled to a beneficial interest in the trust property; and

2. Files a certificate of trust pursuant to NRS 88A.210.

The term includes, without limitation, a trust of the type known at common law as a business trust or Massachusetts trust, a trust qualifying as a real estate investment trust pursuant to 26 U.S.C. §§ 856 et seq., as amended, or any successor provision, or a trust qualifying as a real estate mortgage investment conduit pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 860D, as amended, or any successor provision. [The term does not include a corporation as that term is defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101(9).]

Sec. 105. NRS 88A.220 is hereby amended to read as follows:

88A.220 1. A certificate of trust may be amended by filing with the secretary of state a certificate of amendment signed by at least one trustee. The certificate of amendment must set forth:

(a) The name of the business trust; and

(b) [The date of filing of the original certificate of trust; and

(c)] The amendment to the certificate of trust.

2. A certificate of trust may be restated by integrating into a single instrument all the provisions of the original certificate, and all amendments to the certificate, which are then in effect or are to be made by the restatement. The restated certificate of trust must be so designated in its heading, must be signed by at least one trustee and must set forth:

(a) The present name of the business trust and, if the name has been changed, the name under which the business trust was originally formed;

(b) The date of filing of the original certificate of trust;

(c) The provisions of the original certificate of trust, and all amendments to the certificate, which are then in effect; and

(d) Any further amendments to the certificate of trust.

3. A certificate of trust may be amended or restated at any time for any purpose determined by the trustees.

Sec. 106. NRS 88A.640 is hereby amended to read as follows:

88A.640 1. The secretary of state shall notify, by letter addressed to its resident agent, each business trust deemed in default pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. The notice must be accompanied by a statement indicating the amount of the filing fee, penalties and costs remaining unpaid.

2. [On the first day of the ninth month following] Immediately after the first anniversary of the month following the month in which the filing was required, the certificate of trust of the business trust is revoked and its right to transact business is forfeited.

3. The secretary of state shall compile a complete list containing the names of all business trusts whose right to do business has been forfeited. He shall forthwith notify each such business trust, by letter addressed to its resident agent, of the revocation of its certificate of trust. The notice must be accompanied by a statement indicating the amount of the filing fee, penalties and costs remaining unpaid.

4. If the certificate of trust is revoked and the right to transact business is forfeited, all the property and assets of the defaulting business trust must be held in trust by its trustees as for insolvent business trusts, and the same proceedings may be had with respect thereto as are applicable to insolvent business trusts. Any person interested may institute proceedings at any time after a forfeiture has been declared, but if the secretary of state reinstates the certificate of trust, the proceedings must at once be dismissed.

Sec. 107. NRS 88A.900 is hereby amended to read as follows:

88A.900 The secretary of state shall charge and collect the following fees for:

1. Filing an original certificate of trust, or for registering a foreign business trust, $125.

2. Filing an amendment or restatement, or a combination thereof, to a certificate of trust, $75.

3. Filing a certificate of cancellation, $125.

4. Certifying a copy of a certificate of trust or an amendment or restatement, or a combination thereof, $10 per certification.

5. Certifying an authorized printed copy of this chapter, $10.

6. Reserving a name for a business trust, $20.

7. Executing a certificate of existence of a business trust which does not list the previous documents relating to it, or a certificate of change in the name of a business trust, [$15.] $20.

8. Executing a certificate of existence of a business trust which lists the previous documents relating to it, $20.

9. Filing a statement of change of address of the registered office for each business trust, $15.

10. Filing a statement of change of the registered agent, $15.

11. Executing, certifying or filing any certificate or document not otherwise provided for in this section, $20.

12. Examining and provisionally approving a document before the document is presented for filing, $100.

13. Copying a document on file with him, for each page, $1.

Sec. 108. Chapter 92A of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto the provisions set forth as sections 109 to 115, inclusive, of this act.

Sec. 109. “Domestic general partnership” means a general partnership governed by the provisions of chapter 87 of NRS.

Sec. 110. “Resulting entity” means, with respect to a conversion, the entity that results from conversion of the constituent entity.

Sec. 111. 1. Except as limited by NRS 78.411 to 78.444, inclusive, one domestic general partnership or one domestic entity, except a domestic nonprofit corporation, may convert into a domestic entity or a foreign entity if the plan of conversion is approved pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

2. The plan of conversion must be in writing and set forth the:

(a) Name of the constituent entity and the proposed name for the resulting entity;

(b) Address of the constituent entity and the resulting entity;

(d) Jurisdiction of the law that will govern the resulting entity;

(e) Terms and conditions of the conversion;

(f) Manner and basis of converting the owner’s interest or the interest of a partner in a general partnership of the constituent entity into owner’s interests, rights of purchase and other securities in the resulting entity; and

(g) Full text of the constituent documents of the resulting entity.

3. The plan of conversion may set forth other provisions relating to the conversion.

Sec. 112. Unless otherwise provided in the partnership agreement, all partners must approve a plan of conversion involving a domestic general partnership.

Sec. 113. 1. One foreign entity or foreign general partnership may convert into one domestic entity if:

(a) The conversion is permitted by the law of the jurisdiction governing the foreign entity or foreign general partnership and the foreign entity or foreign general partnership complies with that law in effecting the conversion;

(b) The foreign entity or foreign general partnership complies with the applicable provisions of section 114 of this act and, if it is the resulting entity in the conversion, with NRS 92A.210 to 92A.240, inclusive; and

(c) The domestic entity complies with the applicable provisions of NRS 92A.120, 92A.140 and 92A.165 and sections 111 and 112 of this act and, if it is the resulting entity in the conversion, with NRS 92A.210 to 92A.240, inclusive, and section 114 of this act.

2. When the conversion takes effect, the resulting foreign entity in a conversion shall be deemed to have appointed the secretary of state as its agent for service of process in a proceeding to enforce any obligation. Service of process must be made personally by delivering to and leaving with the secretary of state duplicate copies of the process and the payment of a fee of $25 for accepting and transmitting the process. The secretary of state shall send one of the copies of the process by registered or certified mail to the resulting entity at its specified address, unless the resulting entity has designated in writing to the secretary of state a different address for that purpose, in which case it must be mailed to the last address so designated.

Sec. 114. 1. After a plan of conversion is approved as required by this chapter, if the resulting entity is a domestic entity, the constituent entity shall deliver to the secretary of state for filing:

(a) Articles of conversion setting forth:

(1) The name and jurisdiction of organization of the constituent entity and the resulting entity; and

(2) That a plan of conversion has been adopted by the constituent entity in compliance with the law of the jurisdiction governing the constituent entity.

(b) The following constituent document of the domestic resulting entity:

(1) If the resulting entity is a domestic corporation, the articles of incorporation filed in compliance with chapter 78 or 89 of NRS, as applicable;

(2) If the resulting entity is a domestic limited partnership, the certificate of limited partnership filed in compliance with chapter 88 of NRS;

(3) If the resulting entity is a domestic limited-liability company, the articles of organization filed in compliance with chapter 86 of NRS; or

(4) If the resulting entity is a domestic business trust, the certificate of trust filed in compliance with chapter 88A of NRS.

(c) A certificate of acceptance of appointment of a resident agent for the resulting entity which is executed by the resident agent.

2. After a plan of conversion is approved as required by this chapter, if the resulting entity is a foreign entity, the constituent entity shall deliver to the secretary of state for filing articles of conversion setting forth:

(a) The name and jurisdiction of organization of the constituent entity and the resulting entity;

(b) That a plan of conversion has been adopted by the constituent entity in compliance with the laws of this state; and

3. If the entire plan of conversion is not set forth in the articles of conversion, the filing party must include in the articles of conversion a statement that the complete executed plan of conversion is on file at the registered office or principal place of business of the resulting entity or, if the resulting entity is a domestic limited partnership, the office described in paragraph (a) of subsection 1 of NRS 88.330.

4. If the conversion takes effect on a later date specified in the articles of conversion pursuant to NRS 92A.240, the constituent document filed with the secretary of state pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 1 must state the name and the jurisdiction of the constituent entity and that the existence of the resulting entity does not begin until the later date.

5. Any documents filed with the secretary of state pursuant to this section must be accompanied by the fees required pursuant to this Title for filing the constituent document.

Sec. 115. 1. Any undomesticated organization may become domesticated in this state as a domestic entity by:

(a) Paying to the secretary of state the fees required pursuant to this Title for filing the constituent document; and

(b) Filing with the secretary of state:

(1) Articles of domestication which must be executed by an authorized representative of the undomesticated organization approved in compliance with subsection 6;

(2) The appropriate constituent document for the type of domestic entity described in paragraph (b) of subsection 1 of section 114 of this act; and

(3) A certificate of acceptance of appointment of a resident agent for the domestic entity which is executed by the resident agent.

2. The articles of domestication must set forth the:

(a) Date when and the jurisdiction where the undomesticated organization was first formed, incorporated, organized or otherwise created;

(b) Name of the undomesticated organization immediately before filing the articles of domestication;

(d) Jurisdiction that constituted the principal place of business or central administration of the undomesticated organization, or any other equivalent thereto pursuant to applicable law,

immediately before filing the articles of domestication.

3. Upon filing the articles of domestication, the constituent document and the certificate of acceptance of appointment of a resident agent with the secretary of state, and the payment of the requisite fee for filing the constituent document of the domestic entity, the undomesticated organization is domesticated in this state as the domestic entity described in the constituent document filed pursuant to subsection 1. The existence of the domestic entity begins on the date the undomesticated organization began its existence in the jurisdiction in which the undomesticated organization was first formed, incorporated, organized or otherwise created.

4. The domestication of any undomesticated organization does not affect any obligations or liabilities of the undomesticated organization incurred before its domestication.

5. The filing of the constituent document of the domestic entity pursuant to subsection 1 does not affect the choice of law applicable to the undomesticated organization. From the date the constituent document of the domestic entity is filed, the law of this state applies to the domestic entity to the same extent as if the undomesticated organization was organized and created as a domestic entity on that date.

6. Before filing articles of domestication, the domestication must be approved in the manner required by:

(a) The document, instrument, agreement or other writing governing the internal affairs of the undomesticated organization and the conduct of its business; and

(b) Applicable foreign law.

7. When a domestication becomes effective, all rights, privileges and powers of the undomesticated organization, all property owned by the undomesticated organization, all debts due to the undomesticated organization, and all causes of action belonging to the undomesticated organization are vested in the domestic entity and become the property of the domestic entity to the same extent as vested in the undomesticated organization immediately before domestication. The title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in the undomesticated organization is not reverted or impaired by the domestication. All rights of creditors and all liens upon any property of the undomesticated organization are preserved unimpaired and all debts, liabilities and duties of an undomesticated organization that has been domesticated attach to the domestic entity resulting from the domestication and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liability and duties had been incurred or contracted by the domestic entity.

8. When an undomesticated organization is domesticated, the domestic entity resulting from the domestication is for all purposes deemed to be the same entity as the undomesticated organization. Unless otherwise agreed by the owners of the undomesticated organization or as required pursuant to applicable foreign law, the domestic entity resulting from the domestication is not required to wind up its affairs, pay its liabilities or distribute its assets. The domestication of an undomesticated organization does not constitute the dissolution of the undomesticated organization. The domestication constitutes a continuation of the existence of the undomesticated organization in the form of a domestic entity. If, following domestication, an undomesticated organization that has become domesticated pursuant to this section continues its existence in the foreign country or foreign jurisdiction in which it was existing immediately before the domestication, the domestic entity and the undomesticated organization are for all purposes a single entity formed, incorporated, organized or otherwise created and existing pursuant to the laws of this state and the laws of the foreign country or other foreign jurisdiction.

9. As used in this section, “undomesticated organization” means any incorporated organization, private law corporation, whether or not organized for business purposes, public law corporation, general partnership, registered limited-liability partnership, limited partnership or registered limited-liability limited partnership, proprietorship, joint venture, foundation, business trust, real estate investment trust, common law trust or any other unincorporated business formed, organized, created or the internal affairs of which are governed by the laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction other than the United States, the District of Columbia or another state, territory, possession, commonwealth or dependency of the United States.

Sec. 116. NRS 92A.005 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.005 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 92A.007 to 92A.080, inclusive, and sections 109 and 110 of this act have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.

Sec. 117. NRS 92A.010 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.010 “Constituent document” means the articles of incorporation or bylaws of a corporation, whether or not for profit, the articles of organization or operating agreement of a limited-liability company , [or] the certificate of limited partnership or partnership agreement of a limited partnership[.] , or the certificate of trust or governing instrument of a business trust.

Sec. 118. NRS 92A.015 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.015 “Constituent entity” means[, with] :

1. With respect to a merger, each merging or surviving entity [and, with];

2. With respect to an exchange, each entity whose owner’s interests will be acquired or each entity acquiring those interests[.] ; and

3. With respect to the conversion of an entity or a general partnership, the entity or general partnership that will be converted into another entity.

Sec. 119. NRS 92A.070 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.070 “Member” means:

1. A [person who owns an interest in, and has the right to participate in the management of the business and affairs of a domestic limited-liability company;] member of a limited-liability company, as defined in NRS 86.081; or

2. A member of a nonprofit corporation which has members.

Sec. 120. NRS 92A.075 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.075 “Owner” means the holder of an interest described in NRS 92A.080[.] or a noneconomic member of a limited-liability company described in section 53 of this act.

Sec. 121. NRS 92A.120 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.120 1. After adopting a plan of merger [or exchange,] , exchange or conversion, the board of directors of each domestic corporation that is a constituent entity in the merger[,] or conversion, or the board of directors of the domestic corporation whose shares will be acquired in the exchange, must submit the plan of merger, except as otherwise provided in NRS 92A.130, the plan of conversion or the plan of exchange for approval by its stockholders[.] who are entitled to vote on the plan.

2. For a plan of merger , conversion or exchange to be approved:

(a) The board of directors must recommend the plan of merger, conversion or exchange to the stockholders, unless the board of directors determines that because of a conflict of interest or other special circumstances it should make no recommendation and it communicates the basis for its determination to the stockholders with the plan; and

(b) The stockholders entitled to vote must approve the plan.

3. The board of directors may condition its submission of the proposed merger , conversion or exchange on any basis.

4. [The] Unless the plan of merger, conversion or exchange is approved by the written consent of stockholders pursuant to subsection 8, the domestic corporation must notify each stockholder, whether or not he is entitled to vote, of the proposed stockholders’ meeting in accordance with NRS 78.370. The notice must also state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to consider the plan of merger , conversion or exchange and must contain or be accompanied by a copy or summary of the plan.

5. Unless this chapter, the articles of incorporation , the resolutions of the board of directors establishing the class or series of stock, subsection 6 or the board of directors acting pursuant to subsection 3 require a greater vote or a vote by classes of stockholders, the plan of merger or [exchange to be authorized] conversion must be approved by a majority of the voting power [unless stockholders of a class of shares are entitled to vote thereon as a class. If stockholders of a class of shares are so entitled, the plan must be approved by a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on the plan by each class and representing a majority of all votes entitled to be voted.

6. Separate voting by a class of stockholders is required:

(a) On a plan of merger if the plan contains a provision that, if contained in the proposed amendment to the articles of incorporation, would entitle particular stockholders to vote as a class on the proposed amendment; and

(b) On a plan of exchange by each class or series of shares included in the exchange, with each class or series constituting a separate voting class.

7.] of the stockholders.

6. Unless the articles of incorporation or the resolution of the board of directors establishing a class or series of stock provide otherwise, or unless the board of directors acting pursuant to subsection 3 requires a greater vote, the plan of exchange must be approved by a majority of the voting power of each class and each series to be exchanged pursuant to the plan of exchange.

7. In addition to any other vote required, if a plan of merger contains an amendment to the articles of incorporation of the surviving domestic corporation or if a plan of conversion provides for a resulting entity with constituent documents, that adversely alter or change any preference or other right given to any class or series of outstanding stock of the surviving domestic corporation, then the plan of merger or conversion must be approved by the vote of stockholders representing a majority of the voting power of each class or series adversely affected by the amendment or the constituent documents, regardless of limitations or restrictions on the voting power of that class or series of stock.

8. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws of the domestic corporation, the plan of merger , conversion or exchange may be approved by written consent as provided in NRS 78.320.

9. If an officer, director or stockholder of a domestic corporation, which will be the constituent entity in a conversion, will have any liability for the obligations of the resulting entity after the conversion because he will be the owner of an owner’s interest in the resulting entity, then that officer, director or stockholder must also approve the plan of conversion.

10. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of a domestic corporation, a plan of merger, conversion or exchange may contain a provision that permits amendment of the plan of merger, conversion or exchange at any time after the stockholders of the domestic corporation approve the plan of merger, conversion or exchange, but before the articles of merger, conversion or exchange become effective, without obtaining the approval of the stockholders of the domestic corporation for the amendment if the amendment does not:

(a) Alter or change the manner or basis of exchanging an owner’s interest to be acquired for owner’s interests, rights to purchase owner’s interests, or other securities of the acquiring entity or any other entity, or for cash or other property in whole or in part; or

(b) Alter or change any of the terms and conditions of the plan of merger, conversion or exchange in a manner that adversely affects the stockholders of the domestic corporation.

11. This section does not prevent or restrict a board of directors from canceling the proposed meeting or removing the plan of merger, conversion or exchange from consideration at the meeting if the board of directors determines that it is not advisable to submit the plan of merger, conversion or exchange to the stockholders for approval.

Sec. 122. NRS 92A.140 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.140 1. Unless otherwise provided in the partnership agreement or the certificate of limited partnership, a plan of merger , conversion or exchange involving a domestic limited partnership must be approved by all general partners and by limited partners who own a majority in interest of the partnership then owned by all the limited partners. If the partnership has more than one class of limited partners, the plan of merger , conversion or exchange must be approved by those limited partners who own a majority in interest of the partnership then owned by the limited partners in each class.

2. For the purposes of this section, “majority in interest of the partnership” means a majority of the interests in capital and profits of the limited partners of a domestic limited partnership which:

(a) In the case of capital, is determined as of the date of the approval of the plan of merger , conversion or exchange.

(b) In the case of profits, is based on any reasonable estimate of profits for the period beginning on the date of the approval of the plan of merger , conversion or exchange and ending on the anticipated date of the termination of the domestic limited partnership, including any present or future division of profits distributed pursuant to the partnership agreement.

3. If any partner of a domestic limited partnership, which will be the constituent entity in a conversion, will have any liability for the obligations of the resulting entity after the conversion because he will be the owner of an owner’s interest in the resulting entity, then that partner must also approve the plan of conversion.

Sec. 123. NRS 92A.150 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.150 1. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization or an operating agreement:

[1.] (a) A plan of merger , conversion or exchange involving a domestic limited-liability company must be approved by members who own a majority of the interests in the current profits of the company then owned by all of the members; and

[2.] (b) If the company has more than one class of members, the plan of merger , conversion or exchange must be approved by those members who own a majority of the interests in the current profits of the company then owned by the members in each class.

2. If any manager or member of a domestic limited-liability company, which will be the constituent entity in a conversion, will have any liability for the obligations of the resulting entity after the conversion because he will be the owner of an owner’s interest in the resulting entity, then that manager or member must also approve the plan of conversion.

Sec. 124. NRS 92A.165 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.165 Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of trust or governing instrument of a business trust, a plan of merger , conversion or exchange must be approved by all the trustees and beneficial owners of each business trust that is a constituent entity in the merger.

Sec. 125. NRS 92A.170 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.170 After a merger , conversion or exchange is approved, and at any time before the articles of merger , conversion or exchange are filed, the planned merger , conversion or exchange may be abandoned, subject to any contractual rights, without further action, in accordance with the procedure set forth in the plan of merger , conversion or exchange or, if none is set forth, in the case of:

1. A domestic corporation, whether or not for profit, by the board of directors;

2. A domestic limited partnership, unless otherwise provided in the partnership agreement or certificate of limited partnership, by all general partners;

3. A domestic limited-liability company, unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization or an operating agreement, by members who own a majority in interest in the current profits of the company then owned by all of the members or, if the company has more than one class of members, by members who own a majority in interest in the current profits of the company then owned by the members in each class; [and]

4. A domestic business trust, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of trust or governing instrument, by all the trustees[.] ; and

5. A domestic general partnership, unless otherwise provided in the partnership agreement, by all the partners.

Sec. 126. NRS 92A.175 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.175 After a merger , conversion or exchange is approved, at any time after the articles of merger , conversion or exchange are filed but before an effective date specified in the articles which is later than the date of filing the articles, the planned merger , conversion or exchange may be terminated in accordance with a procedure set forth in the plan of merger , conversion or exchange by filing articles of termination pursuant to the provisions of NRS 92A.240.

Sec. 126. NRS 92A.180 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.180 1. A parent domestic corporation, whether or not for profit, parent domestic limited-liability company , unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization or operating agreement, or parent domestic limited partnership owning at least 90 percent of the outstanding shares of each class of a subsidiary corporation, 90 percent of the percentage or other interest in the capital and profits of a subsidiary [limited partnership] limited-liability company then owned by [both the general and] each class of [limited partners] members or 90 percent of the percentage or other interest in the capital and profits of a subsidiary [limited-liability company then owned by each class of members] limited partnership then owned by both the general partners and each class of limited partners may merge the subsidiary into itself without approval of the owners of the owner’s interests of the parent domestic corporation, domestic limited-liability company or domestic limited partnership or the owners of the owner’s interests of a subsidiary domestic corporation, subsidiary domestic limited-liability company or subsidiary domestic limited partnership.

2. A parent domestic corporation, whether or not for profit, parent domestic limited-liability company, unless otherwise provided in the articles of organization, or parent domestic limited partnership owning at least 90 percent of the outstanding shares of each class of a subsidiary corporation, 90 percent of the percentage or other interest in the capital and profits of a subsidiary limited-liability company then owned by each class of members, or 90 percent of the percentage or other interest in the capital and profits of a subsidiary limited partnership then owned by both the general partners and each class of limited partners may merge with and into the subsidiary without approval of the owners of the owner’s interests of the subsidiary domestic corporation, subsidiary domestic limited-liability company or subsidiary domestic limited partnership.

3. The board of directors of [the] a parent corporation, the managers of a parent limited-liability company with managers unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, all [the] members of a parent limited-liability company without managers unless otherwise provided in the operating agreement, or all [the] general partners of [the] a parent limited partnership shall adopt a plan of merger that sets forth:

(a) The names of the parent and subsidiary; and

(b) The manner and basis of converting the owner’s interests of the disappearing entity into the owner’s interests, obligations or other securities of the surviving or any other entity or into cash or other property in whole or in part.

[3.] 4. The parent shall mail a copy or summary of the plan of merger to each owner of the subsidiary who does not waive the mailing requirement in writing.

[4. The parent may not deliver articles of merger to the secretary of state for filing until at least 30 days after the date the parent mailed a copy of the plan of merger to each owner of the subsidiary who did not waive the requirement of mailing.]

5. Articles of merger under this section may not contain amendments to the constituent documents of the surviving entity[.] except that the name of the surviving entity may be changed.

6. The articles of incorporation of a domestic corporation, the articles of organization of a domestic limited-liability company, the certificate of limited partnership of a domestic limited partnership or the certificate of trust of a domestic business trust may forbid that entity from entering into a merger pursuant to this section.

Sec. 128. NRS 92A.200 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.200 After a plan of merger or exchange is approved as required by this chapter, the surviving or acquiring entity shall deliver to the secretary of state for filing articles of merger or exchange setting forth:

1. The name and jurisdiction of organization of each constituent entity;

2. That a plan of merger or exchange has been adopted by each constituent entity;

3. If approval of the owners of one or more constituent entities was not required, a statement to that effect and the name of each entity;

4. If approval of owners of one or more constituent entities was required, the name of each entity and a statement for each entity that:

(a) The plan was approved by the [unanimous] required consent of the owners; or

(b) A plan was submitted to the owners pursuant to this chapter including:

(1) The designation, percentage of total vote or number of votes entitled to be cast by each class of owner’s interests entitled to vote separately on the plan; and

(2) Either the total number of votes or percentage of owner’s interests cast for and against the plan by the owners of each class of interests entitled to vote separately on the plan or the total number of undisputed votes or undisputed total percentage of owner’s interests cast for the plan separately by the owners of each class,

and the number of votes or percentage of owner’s interests cast for the plan by the owners of each class of interests was sufficient for approval by the owners of that class;

5. In the case of a merger, the amendment , if any, to the articles of incorporation, articles of organization, certificate of limited partnership or certificate of trust of the surviving entity[; and] , which amendment may be set forth in the articles of merger as a specific amendment or in the form of:

(a) Amended and restated articles of incorporation;

(b) Amended and restated articles of organization;

(d) An amended and restated certificate of trust,

or attached in that form as an exhibit; and

6. If the entire plan of merger or exchange is not set forth, a statement that the complete executed plan of merger or plan of exchange is on file at the registered office if a corporation, limited-liability company or business trust, or office described in paragraph (a) of subsection 1 of NRS 88.330 if a limited partnership, or other place of business of the surviving entity or the acquiring entity, respectively.

Any of the terms of the plan of merger, conversion or exchange may be made dependent upon facts ascertainable outside of the plan of merger, conversion or exchange, provided that the plan of merger, conversion or exchange clearly and expressly sets forth the manner in which such facts shall operate upon the terms of the plan. As used in this section, the term “facts” includes, without limitation, the occurrence of an event, including a determination or action by a person or body, including a constituent entity.

Sec. 129. NRS 92A.210 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.210 [The]

1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the fee for filing articles of merger, articles of conversion, articles of exchange , articles of domestication or articles of termination is $125. The fee for filing the constituent documents of a domestic resulting entity is the fee for filing the constituent documents determined by the chapter of NRS governing the particular domestic resulting entity.

2. The fee for filing articles of merger of two or more domestic corporations is the difference between the fee computed at the rates specified in NRS 78.760 upon the aggregate authorized stock of the corporation created by the merger and the fee computed upon the aggregate amount of the total authorized stock of the constituent corporation.

3. The fee for filing articles of merger of one or more domestic corporations with one or more foreign corporations is the difference between the fee computed at the rates specified in NRS 78.760 upon the aggregate authorized stock of the corporation created by the merger and the fee computed upon the aggregate amount of the total authorized stock of the constituent corporations which have paid the fees required by NRS 78.760 and 80.050.

4. The fee for filing articles of merger of two or more domestic or foreign corporations must not be less than $125. The amount paid pursuant to subsection 3 must not exceed $25,000.

Sec. 130. NRS 92A.220 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.220 If the entire plan of merger , conversion or exchange is not set forth[,] in the articles of merger, conversion or exchange, a copy of the plan of merger , conversion or exchange must be furnished by the surviving , [or] acquiring or resulting entity, on request and without cost, to any owner of any entity which is a party to the merger , conversion or exchange.

Sec. 131. NRS 92A.230 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.230 1. Articles of merger , conversion or exchange must be signed by each domestic constituent entity as follows:

(a) By [the president or a vice president] an officer of a domestic corporation, whether or not for profit;

(b) By all the general partners of a domestic limited partnership;

(c) By a manager of a domestic limited-liability company with managers or by all the members of a domestic limited-liability company without managers; and

(d) By a trustee of a domestic business trust.

2. [If the domestic entity is a corporation, the articles must also be signed by the secretary or an assistant secretary.

3.] Articles of merger , conversion or exchange must be signed by each foreign constituent entity in the manner provided by the law governing it.

[4.] 3. As used in this section, “signed” means to have executed or adopted a name, word or mark, including, without limitation, a digital signature as defined in NRS 720.060, with the present intention to authenticate a document.

Sec. 132. NRS 92A.240 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.240 1. A merger , conversion or exchange takes effect upon filing the articles of merger , conversion or exchange or upon a later date as specified in the articles, which must not be more than 90 days after the articles are filed.

2. If the filed articles of merger , conversion or exchange specify such a later effective date, the constituent entity or entities may file articles of termination before the effective date, setting forth:

(a) The name of each constituent entity[;] and , for a conversion, the resulting entity; and

(b) That the merger , conversion or exchange has been terminated pursuant to the plan of merger , conversion or exchange.

3. The articles of termination must be executed in the manner provided in NRS 92A.230.

Sec. 133. NRS 92A.250 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.250 1. When a merger takes effect:

(a) Every other entity that is a constituent entity merges into the surviving entity and the separate existence of every entity except the surviving entity ceases;

(b) The title to all real estate and other property owned by each merging constituent entity is vested in the surviving entity without reversion or impairment;

(d) A proceeding pending against any constituent entity may be continued as if the merger had not occurred or the surviving entity may be substituted in the proceeding for the entity whose existence has ceased;

(e) The articles of incorporation, articles of organization, certificate of limited partnership or certificate of trust of the surviving entity are amended to the extent provided in the plan of merger; and

(f) The owner’s interests of each constituent entity that are to be converted into owner’s interests, obligations or other securities of the surviving or any other entity or into cash or other property are converted, and the former holders of the owner’s interests are entitled only to the rights provided in the articles of merger or any created pursuant to NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive.

2. When an exchange takes effect, the owner’s interests of each acquired entity are exchanged as provided in the plan, and the former holders of the owner’s interests are entitled only to the rights provided in the articles of exchange or any rights created pursuant to NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive.

3. When a conversion takes effect:

(a) The constituent entity is converted into the resulting entity and is governed by and subject to the law of the jurisdiction of the resulting entity;

(b) The conversion is a continuation of the existence of the constituent entity;

(c) The title to all real estate and other property owned by the constituent entity is vested in the resulting entity without reversion or impairment;

(d) The resulting entity has all the liabilities of the constituent entity;

(e) A proceeding pending against the constituent entity may be continued as if the conversion had not occurred or the resulting entity may be substituted in the proceeding for the constituent entity;

(f) The owner’s interests of the constituent entity that are to be converted into the owner’s interests of the resulting entity are converted;

(g) An owner of the resulting entity remains liable for all the obligations of the constituent entity to the extent the owner was personally liable before the conversion; and

(h) The domestic constituent entity is not required to wind up its affairs, pay its liabilities, distribute its assets or dissolve, and the conversion is not deemed a dissolution of the domestic constituent entity.

Sec. 134. NRS 92A.260 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.260 An owner that is not personally liable for the debts, liabilities or obligations of the entity pursuant to the laws and constituent documents under which the entity was organized does not become personally liable for the debts, liabilities or obligations of the surviving entity or entities of the merger or exchange or the resulting entity of the conversion unless the owner consents to becoming personally liable by action taken in connection with the plan of merger , conversion or exchange.

Sec. 135. NRS 92A.380 is hereby amended to read as follows:

92A.380 1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 92A.370 and 92A.390, a stockholder is entitled to dissent from, and obtain payment of the fair value of his shares in the event of any of the following corporate actions:

(a) Consummation of a plan of merger to which the domestic corporation is a [party:] constituent entity:

(1) If approval by the stockholders is required for the merger by NRS 92A.120 to 92A.160, inclusive, or the articles of incorporation [and he], regardless of whether the stockholder is entitled to vote on the plan of merger; or

(2) If the domestic corporation is a subsidiary and is merged with its parent [under] pursuant to NRS 92A.180.

(b) Consummation of a plan of exchange to which the domestic corporation is a [party] constituent entity as the corporation whose subject owner’s interests will be acquired, if [he is entitled to vote on the plan.] his shares are to be acquired in the plan of exchange.

(c) Any corporate action taken pursuant to a vote of the stockholders to the event that the articles of incorporation, bylaws or a resolution of the board of directors provides that voting or nonvoting stockholders are entitled to dissent and obtain payment for their shares.

2. A stockholder who is entitled to dissent and obtain payment [under] pursuant to NRS 92A.300 to 92A.500, inclusive, may not challenge the corporate action creating his entitlement unless the action is unlawful or fraudulent with respect to him or the domestic corporation.

Sec. 136. Chapter 225 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a new section to read as follows:

The secretary of state and the deputies, employees and attorneys of the secretary of state are not liable for any action or omission made in good faith by the secretary of state, deputy, employee or attorney in the performance of his duties or exercise of authority with respect to the examination, acceptance or filing of any document which is received from any person or business association pursuant to Title 7 of NRS and which is inaccurate or defective in any way.

Sec. 137. NRS 78.295, 78.770, 81.460, 86.021 and 86.551 are hereby repealed.

LEADLINES OF REPEALED SECTIONS

78.295 Liability of directors for declaration of distributions.

78.770 Filing fees: Articles of merger; articles of exchange.

81.460 Articles of incorporation: Amendment.

86.021 “Articles of organization” defined.

86.551 Registration of foreign limited-liability company.”.

Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:

“AN ACT relating to business associations; providing for the decrease of issued and outstanding shares of stock in certain circumstances; providing for the voting rights of fiduciaries and joint owners of stock; revising various provisions governing the filing of organizational and related documents; revising the fees for filing certain documents; revising provisions governing the forfeiture of stock by delinquent subscribers; providing for the registration and management of foreign limited-liability companies; revising provisions governing the merger, conversion and exchange of business entities; providing for the domestication of certain foreign business entities; providing that the secretary of state and his employees are not liable for actions or omissions with respect to the examination, acceptance or filing of inaccurate or defective documents received from a business association; making various other changes pertaining to business associations; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.”.

Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:

“SUMMARY—Makes various changes pertaining to business associations. (BDR 7‑255)”.

Senator James moved the adoption of the amendment.

Remarks by Senator James.

Amendment adopted.

Bill ordered reprinted, engrossed and to third reading.

Senate Bill No. 54.

Bill read second time.

The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Transportation:

Amendment No. 205.

Amend section 1, page 1, line 3, by deleting “department, in” and inserting “department”.

Amend section 1, page 1, by deleting lines 4 and 5 and inserting: “shall design, prepare and issue license plates for the appreciation”.

Amend section 1, page 1, line 6, by deleting: “of the rights”.

Amend section 1, page 1, line 11, by deleting: “support of the rights” and inserting “appreciation”.

Amend section 1, page 1, line 18, by deleting: “support of the rights” and inserting “appreciation”.

Amend section 1, page 2, line 1, by deleting: “support of the rights” and inserting “appreciation”.

Amend section 1, page 2, line 3, by deleting: “support of the rights” and inserting “appreciation”.

Amend section 1, page 2, line 5, by deleting: “motor vehicle privilege” and inserting “governmental services”.

Amend section 1, page 2, line 8, by deleting: “motor vehicle privilege” and inserting “governmental services”.

Amend section 1, page 2, line 9, by deleting: “support of the rights” and inserting “appreciation”.

Amend section 1, page 2, by deleting lines 12 and 13 and inserting: “distributed in the manner prescribed in subsection 5.”.

Amend section 1, page 2, by deleting lines 16 through 19 and inserting: “The state treasurer shall, on a quarterly basis, distribute to each county the fees collected for the preceding quarter for license plates for vehicles registered in that county. The money may be used by the county only for animal shelters or programs for the adoption of animals that are approved by the county commission.”.

Amend sec. 2, page 3, line 9, by deleting “vehicle privilege” and inserting “governmental services”.

Amend sec. 5, page 4, by deleting line 11 and inserting:

“Sec. 5. 1. This section and sections 1, 3 and 4 of this act become effective on July 1, 2001.

2. Section 2 of this act becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2001.”.

Amend sec. 5, page 4, line 12, by deleting “2.” and inserting “3.”.

Amend the title of the bill by deleting the second and third lines and inserting: “appreciation of animals; imposing a fee for the issuance”.

Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:

“SUMMARY—Provides for issuance of special license plates for appreciation of animals. (BDR 43‑693)”.

Senator O'Donnell moved the adoption of the amendment.

Remarks by Senator O'Donnell.

Amendment adopted.

Bill ordered reprinted, engrossed and to third reading.

Senate Bill No. 57.

Bill read second time.

The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Legislative Affairs and Operations:

Amendment No. 293.

Amend section 1, page 1, line 8, by deleting: “meeting, conference, seminar or gathering” and inserting “meeting”.

Amend section 1, page 1, by deleting line 13 and inserting:

“3. Any private employer who has more than 50 employees or any public employer who employs a person who is a”.

Amend section 1, page 2, line 8, after “member;” by inserting “or”.

Amend section 1, page 2, by deleting lines 11 through 16 and inserting “legislator.”.

Amend the title of the bill, by deleting the third through fifth lines and inserting: “certain meetings during the legislative interim; requiring public and certain private employers to grant leave for employees who are legislators to attend certain meetings during the”.

Senator Porter moved the adoption of the amendment.

Remarks by Senators Porter and Carlton.

Amendment adopted.

Bill ordered reprinted, engrossed and to third reading.

Senate Bill No. 118.

Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.

Senate Bill No. 219.

Bill read second time.

The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Transportation:

Amendment No. 121.

Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sections 1 through 3 and adding new sections designated sections 1 through 3, following the enacting clause, to read as follows:

“Section 1. NRS 408.533 is hereby amended to read as follows:

408.533 1. All real property, interests therein or improvements thereon and personal property acquired before, on or after April 1, 1957, in accordance with the provisions of NRS 408.487 and 408.489 must, after approval by the board and if no longer needed for highway purposes, be disposed of by the director in accordance with the provisions of subsection 2, except that:

(a) When the property was originally donated to the state, no charge may be made if it is returned to the original owner or to the holder of the reversionary right.

(b) When the property has been wholly or partially paid for by towns, cities or counties, disposal of the property and of money received therefor must be agreed upon by the governing bodies of the towns, cities and counties and the department.

(c) When the title to the real property has been acquired in fee pursuant to NRS 408.487 and 408.489 and, in the opinion of the board, a sale by means of a public auction or sealed bids is uneconomical or impractical because:

(1) There is no access to the property;

(2) The property has value or an increased value only to a single adjoining property owner; or

(3) Such a sale would work an undue hardship upon a property owner as a result of a severance of the property of that owner or a denial of access to a public highway, the board may enter into a direct sale of the property with such an owner or any other person for its fair market value.

(d) When the property has been acquired and [:

(1) The proposed purpose for which it was acquired is later abandoned by the department; or

(2) Part] the property or any portion of the property is no longer needed for highway purposes , [and] the department [determines that the property was acquired for less than its fair market value,

the department] shall give notice of its intention to dispose of the property by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the property is situated. The notice must include the department’s appraisal of the fair market value of the property. Any person from whom the property was purchased or his heir or grantee may purchase the property at its fair market value by direct sale from the department within 60 days after the notice is published. If more than one person qualified to purchase the property by direct sale pursuant to this paragraph so requests, the person with the superior claim, as determined by the department in its sole discretion, is entitled to purchase the property by direct sale. If no person requests to purchase the property by direct sale within 60 days after the notice is published pursuant to this paragraph, the department shall sell the property in the manner provided in subsection 2.

(e) When the property is sought by another public agency for a reasonable public use, the department may first offer the property to the public agency at its fair market value.

2. All property, interests or improvements not [falling] included within the provisions of subsection 1 must first be offered for sale by the department singly or in combination at public auction or by sealed bids. If the highest bid received is 90 percent or more of the department’s appraisal of the fair market value of the property, the property may be sold to the highest bidder. The notice and the terms of the sale must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the property is situated. [Those] The auctions and openings of bids must be conducted by the department. If the property cannot be sold for 90 percent or more of its fair market value, the department may enter into a written listing agreement with a person licensed pursuant to chapter 645 of NRS to sell or lease the property for 90 percent or more of its fair market value.

3. It is conclusively presumed in favor of the department and any purchaser for value that the department acted within its lawful authority in acquiring and disposing of the property, and that the director acted within his lawful authority in executing any conveyance vesting title in the purchaser. All such conveyances must be quitclaim in nature and the department shall not warrant title, furnish title insurance or pay the tax on transfer of real property.

4. No person has a right of action against the department or its employees for a violation of this section. This subsection does not prevent an action by the attorney general on behalf of the State of Nevada or any aggrieved person.

5. All sums of money received by the department for the sale of real and personal property must be deposited with the state treasurer to be credited to the state highway fund, unless the Federal Highway Administration participated in acquisition of the property, in which case a pro rata share of the money obtained by disposal of the property must be paid to the Federal Highway Administration.

6. The department may reserve and except easements, rights or interests from the conveyance of any real property disposed of in accordance with this section or exchanged pursuant to subsection 5 of NRS 408.489. [Those] The easements, rights or interests include, but are not limited to:

(a) Abutter’s rights of light, view or air.

(b) Easements of access to and from abutting land.

(c) Covenants prohibiting the use of signs, structures or devices advertising activities not conducted, services not rendered or goods not produced or available on the real property.

Sec. 2. The amendatory provisions of section 1 of this act do not apply to any property for which the department of transportation publishes a notice of its intention to dispose of the property pursuant to NRS 408.533 before the effective date of this act.

Sec. 3. This act becomes effective upon passage and approval.”.

Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:

“AN ACT relating to property; revising the manner in which the department of transportation is required to dispose of certain property; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.”.

Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:

“SUMMARY—Revises manner in which department of transportation is required to dispose of certain property. (BDR 35‑476)”.

Senator O'Donnell moved the adoption of the amendment.

Remarks by Senator O'Donnell.

Amendment adopted.

Bill ordered reprinted, engrossed and to third reading.

Senate Bill No. 230.

Bill read second time.

The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Judiciary:

Amendment No. 245.

Amend section 1, page 1, line 2, by deleting “10,” and inserting “8,”.

Amend sec. 2, page 1, line 4, by deleting “9,” and inserting “8,”.

Amend sec. 4, page 1, by deleting lines 8 through 13 and inserting:

“Sec. 4. “Committing court” means a juvenile court that commits a person to the Nevada youth training center pursuant to NRS 210.180 or to the Caliente youth center pursuant to NRS 210.580.”.

Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sec. 6 and renumbering sections 7 through 9 as sections 6 through 8.

Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sec. 10 and renumbering sections 11 through 16 as sections 9 through 14.

Amend sec. 12, page 3, by deleting lines 27 through 33 and inserting:

“(1) The local or regional facility for children, if the confinement is approved by the local [juvenile facility, that the parolee be held in the local juvenile facility.

3. The] or regional facility for children; or

(2) The county jail, if the parolee will be 18 years of age or older when the confinement begins and if the parolee will be separated by sight and sound from any adults who are confined or detained therein.”.

Amend sec. 12, page 4, by deleting lines 1 through 4 and inserting:

“(1) The local or regional facility for children, if the confinement is approved by the local or regional facility for children; or

Amend sec. 14, page 4, by deleting lines 31 through 37 and inserting:

“(1) The local or regional facility for children, if the confinement is approved by the local [juvenile facility, that the parolee be held in the local juvenile facility.

3. The] or regional facility for children; or

Amend sec. 14, page 5, by deleting lines 4 through 7 and inserting:

“(1) The local or regional facility for children, if the confinement is approved by the local or regional facility for children; or

Amend the bill as a whole by renumbering sections 17 through 19 as sections 18 through 20 and adding new sections designated sections 15 through 17, following sec. 16, to read as follows:

“Sec.15. NRS 62.170 is hereby amended to read as follows:

62.170 1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 62.172 and 62.175, a peace officer or probation officer may take into custody any child:

(a) Who the officer has probable cause to believe is violating or has violated any law, ordinance or rule or regulation having the force of law; or

(b) Whose conduct indicates that he is a child in need of supervision.

2. Except as otherwise provided in this section and NRS 62.172 and 484.383, if a child is taken into custody:

(a) The officer shall, without undue delay, attempt to notify, if known, the parent, guardian or custodian of the child;

(b) The facility in which the child is detained shall, without undue delay:

(1) Notify a probation officer; and

(2) Attempt to notify, if known, the parent, guardian or custodian of the child if such notification was not accomplished pursuant to paragraph (a); and

(c) Unless it is impracticable or inadvisable or has been otherwise ordered by the court, the child must be released to the custody of his parent or other responsible adult who has signed a written agreement to bring the child to the court at a stated time or at such time as the court may direct. The written agreement must be submitted to the court as soon as possible. If this person fails to produce the child as agreed or upon notice from the court, a writ may be issued for the attachment of the person or of the child requiring that the person or child, or both of them, be brought into the court at a time stated in the writ.

3. Except as otherwise provided in this section and NRS 62.172, if a child who is taken into custody is not released pursuant to subsection 2:

(a) The child must be taken without unnecessary delay to:

(1) The court; or

(2) The place of detention designated by the court and, as soon as possible thereafter, the fact of detention must be reported to the court; and

(b) Pending further disposition of the case, the court may order that the child be:

(1) Released to the custody of the parent or other person appointed by the court;

(2) Detained in such place as is designated by the court, subject to further order of the court; or

(3) Conditionally released for supervised detention at the home of the child in lieu of detention at a facility for the detention of juveniles.

4. A child who is taken into custody for committing a battery that constitutes domestic violence pursuant to NRS 33.018 must not be released from custody sooner than 12 hours after he is taken into custody.

5. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4 and NRS 62.172, if a child is alleged to be delinquent or in need of supervision, the child must not, before disposition of the case, be detained in a facility for the secure detention of juveniles unless there is probable cause to believe that:

(a) If the child is not detained, he is likely to commit an offense dangerous to himself or to the community, or likely to commit damage to property;

(b) The child will run away or be taken away so as to be unavailable for proceedings of the court or to its officers;

(d) The child is a fugitive from another jurisdiction.

6. If a child is not alleged to be delinquent or in need of supervision, the child must not, at any time, be confined or detained in:

(a) A facility for the secure detention of juveniles; or

(b) Any police station, lockup, jail, prison or other facility in which adults are detained or confined.

7. If a child is less than 18 years of age, the child must not, at any time, be confined or detained in any police station, lockup, jail, prison or other facility where the child has regular contact with any adult who is confined or detained therein and who has been convicted of a crime or charged with a crime, unless:

(a) The child is alleged to be delinquent;

(b) An alternative facility is not available; and

8. If a child is 18 years of age or older, the child may be confined or detained in any police station, lockup, jail, prison or other facility in which adults are detained or confined if the child is separated by sight and sound from any adults who are confined or detained therein.

9. If a child who is alleged to be delinquent is taken into custody and detained, the child must be given a detention hearing, conducted by the judge or master:

(a) Within 24 hours after the child submits a written application;

(b) In a county whose population is less than 100,000, within 24 hours after the commencement of detention at a police station, lockup, jail, prison or other facility in which adults are detained or confined;

(c) In a county whose population is 100,000 or more, within 6 hours after the commencement of detention at a police station, lockup, jail, prison or other facility in which adults are detained or confined; or

(d) Within 72 hours after the commencement of detention at a facility in which adults are not detained or confined, whichever occurs first, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. A child must not be released after a detention hearing without the written consent of the judge or master.

[9.] 10. If the parent, guardian or custodian of the child appears with or on behalf of the child at a detention hearing, the judge or master shall provide to him a certificate of attendance which he may provide to his employer. The certificate of attendance must set forth the date and time of appearance and the provisions of NRS 62.900. The certificate of attendance must not set forth the name of the child or the offense alleged.

[10.] 11. Except as otherwise provided in subsection [11,] 12, if a child who is alleged to be in need of supervision is taken into custody and detained, the child must be released within 24 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after his initial contact with a peace officer to his parent, guardian or custodian, to any other person who is able to provide adequate care and supervision, or to shelter care, unless the court holds a detention hearing and determines the child:

(a) Has threatened to run away from home or from the shelter;

(b) Is accused of violent behavior at home; or

If the court makes such a determination, the child may be detained for an additional 24 hours after the hearing, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, if needed by the court to make an alternative placement. Such an alternative placement must be in a facility in which there are no physically restraining devices or barriers. A child must not be detained pursuant to this subsection for a total period in excess of 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

[11.] 12. If a child who is alleged to be in need of supervision is taken into custody and detained, the child need not be released pursuant to subsection [10,] 11, if the court holds a detention hearing and determines the child:

(a) Is a ward of a federal court or held pursuant to federal statute;

(b) Has run away from another state and a jurisdiction within the state has issued a want, warrant or request for the child; or

If the court makes such a determination, the child may be detained for such an additional period as necessary for the court to return the child to the jurisdiction from which he originated or to make an alternative placement. Such an alternative placement must be in a facility in which there are no physically restraining devices or barriers.

[12.] 13. During the pendency of a criminal or quasi-criminal charge of a crime excluded from the original jurisdiction of the juvenile court pursuant to NRS 62.040, a child may petition the juvenile court for temporary placement in a facility for the detention of juveniles.

[13.] 14. In determining whether to release a child pursuant to this section to a person other than his parent, guardian or custodian, preference must be given to any person related within the third degree of consanguinity to the child who is suitable and able to provide proper care and guidance for the child.

Sec. 16. NRS 62.172 is hereby amended to read as follows:

62.172 1. If a peace officer or probation officer has probable cause to believe that a child is committing or has committed an offense that involves the possession, use or threatened use of a firearm, the officer shall take the child into custody.

2. If a child is taken into custody for an offense described in subsection 1, the child must not be released before a detention hearing is held pursuant to subsection [8] 9 of NRS 62.170.

3. At a detention hearing held pursuant to subsection [8] 9 of NRS 62.170 concerning a child who was taken into custody for an offense described in subsection 1, the judge or master shall determine whether to order the child to be evaluated by a qualified professional. If the judge or master orders a child to be evaluated by a qualified professional, the evaluation must be completed within 14 days after the detention hearing. Until the evaluation is completed, the child must be:

(a) Detained at a facility for the detention of juveniles; or

(b) Placed under a program of supervision in his home that may include electronic surveillance of the child.

4. If a child is evaluated by a qualified professional pursuant to subsection 3, the statements made by the child to the qualified professional during the evaluation and any evidence directly or indirectly derived from those statements may not be used for any purpose in a proceeding which is conducted to prove that the child committed a delinquent act or criminal offense. The provisions of this subsection do not prohibit the district attorney from proving that the child committed a delinquent act or criminal offense based upon evidence obtained from sources or by means that are independent of the statements made by the child to the qualified professional during the evaluation conducted pursuant to subsection 3.

5. As used in this section:

(a) “Firearm” has the meaning ascribed to it in subsection 1 of NRS 202.253.

(b) “Qualified professional” means:

(1) A psychiatrist licensed to practice medicine in this state and certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc.;

(2) A psychologist licensed to practice in this state;

(3) A social worker holding a master’s degree in social work and licensed in this state as a clinical social worker;

(4) A registered nurse holding a master’s degree in the field of psychiatric nursing and licensed to practice professional nursing in this state; or

(5) A marriage and family therapist licensed in this state pursuant to chapter 641A of NRS.

Sec. 17. NRS 62.271 is hereby amended to read as follows:

62.271 [Whenever the court has taken jurisdiction over a person pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, it may order any person:

1. Under the age of 18 years who has been adjudicated to be delinquent and placed on probation by the court to be placed in a] If a child who has been adjudicated delinquent and placed on probation violates a condition of probation, for the violation of probation, the court may order that the child be confined in:

1. A facility for the detention of juveniles for not more than 30 days . [for the violation of probation.

2. Eighteen]

2. The county jail, if the child is 18 years of age or older and [under the age of 21 years who has been placed on probation by the court to be placed either in the county jail or the state prison for the violation of probation.] if the child is separated by sight and sound from any adults confined therein.”.

Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:

“AN ACT relating to juvenile justice; revising the provisions relating to the confinement of juveniles in certain facilities; revising the provisions pertaining to juveniles who violate probation or parole; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.”.

Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:

“SUMMARY―Makes various changes relating to juveniles. (BDR 16 575)”.

Senator Washington moved the adoption of the amendment.

Remarks by Senators Washington and Coffin.

Amendment adopted.

Senator Washington moved that the bill be re-referred to the Committee on Finance upon return from reprint.

Remarks by Senator Washington.

Motion carried.

Bill ordered reprinted, engrossed and to the Committee on Finance.

Senate Bill No. 232.

Bill read second time.

The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Judiciary:

Amendment No. 242.

Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sections 1 through 4 and adding a new section designated section 1, following the enacting clause, to read as follows:

“Section 1. NRS 62.910 is hereby amended to read as follows:

62.910 1. The division [of child and family services of the department of human resources] shall establish a standardized system for the reporting, collection, analysis, maintenance and retrieval of information concerning juvenile justice in this state. The division is responsible for the retrieval and analysis of the categories of information contained in the standardized system and the development of any reports from that information.

2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, the standardized system must collect, categorize and maintain the following information from the juvenile courts, local juvenile probation departments, and the staff of the youth correctional services , as directed by the department , [of human resources,] regarding each child referred to the system of juvenile justice in this state:

(a) A unique number assigned to the child for identification;

(b) Basic demographic information regarding the child, including, without limitation:

(1) The age, sex and race or other ethnic background of the child; [and]

(2) The composition of the household in which the child resides; and

(3) The economic background of the child;

(d) The dates of any detention of the child;

(e) The nature of the disposition of each referral of the child;

(f) The dates any petitions are filed regarding the child, and the charges set forth in those petitions; and

(g) The disposition of any petitions filed regarding the child, including any applicable findings.

3. In addition to the information required pursuant to subsection 2 and except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, the department [of human resources] shall require the staff of the youth correctional services to collect and transmit the following information to the standardized system regarding each child committed to or otherwise placed in the custody of the division : [of child and family services:]

(a) A record of each placement of the child, including, without limitation, the period of each placement and the services provided to the child during each placement;

(b) The dates of each release of the child, including any release of the child on parole;

(c) If the child is released on parole, the period of each release and the services provided to the child during each release; and

(d) The nature of or reason for each discharge of the child from the custody of the division . [of child and family services.]

4. The information maintained in the standardized system must not include the name or address of any person.

5. The division [of child and family services] shall adopt such regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section, including requirements for the transmittal of information required from the juvenile courts, local juvenile probation departments, and the staff of the youth correctional services , as directed by the department , [of human resources,] to the standardized system.

6. Each juvenile court and local juvenile probation department, and the staff of the youth correctional services as directed by the department , [of human resources,] shall comply with the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection 5.

7. On or before January 31 of each year, the division shall, in conjunction with professionals knowledgeable about the system of juvenile justice:

(a) Analyze the information collected during the previous year pursuant to this section to determine whether children of racial or ethnic minorities and children from economically disadvantaged homes are receiving disparate treatment in the system of juvenile justice in comparison to the general population; and

(b) As necessary, develop appropriate recommendations to address any such disparate treatment.

8. The division shall prepare and submit to the director of the legislative counsel bureau an annual report describing the findings from the analysis conducted pursuant to subsection 7 and any recommendations made pursuant to subsection 7.

9. As used in this section:

(a) “Department” means the department of human resources.

(b) “Division” means the division of child and family services of the department.”.

Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:

“AN ACT relating to juvenile justice; providing for the collection of information on the economic background of each child referred to the system of juvenile justice; requiring the division of child and family services of the department of human resources to determine whether children of racial or ethnic minorities and children from economically disadvantaged homes are receiving disparate treatment in the system of juvenile justice; requiring the division to prepare and submit a report to the director of the legislative counsel bureau; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.”.

Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:

“SUMMARY—Provides for collection of information on economic background of child referred to system of juvenile justice and requires division of child and family services of department of human resources to determine whether children of racial or ethnic minorities and children from economically disadvantaged homes are receiving disparate treatment in system of juvenile justice. (BDR 5-573)”.

Senator Washington moved the adoption of the amendment.

Remarks by Senator Washington.

Amendment adopted.

Senator Washington moved that Senate Bill No. 232 be re-referred to the Committee on Finance upon return from reprint.

Remarks by Senator Washington.

Motion carried.

Bill ordered reprinted, engrossed and to the Committee on Finance.

Senate Bill No. 233.

Bill read second time.

The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Judiciary:

Amendment No. 262.

Amend section 1, page 1, by deleting lines 10 through 13 and inserting:

“5. Ensure that any person employed by the department whose primary responsibilities are:

(a) The supervision, custody, security, discipline, safety and transportation of an offender;

(b) The security and safety of the staff; and

is a correctional officer who has the powers of a peace officer pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 289.220.”.

Amend sec. 2, page 2, by deleting lines 40 through 42 and inserting:

“(a) Sheriffs, constables, marshals, peace officers, correctional officers employed by the department of prisons, special police officers, police officers of this”.

Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:

“AN ACT relating to correctional officers; providing that any person employed by the department of prisons who has certain responsibilities must be a correctional officer who has the powers of a peace officer; clarifying that correctional officers employed by the department are exempt from certain provisions pertaining to weapons; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.”.

Senator Washington moved the adoption of the amendment.

Remarks by Senator Washington.

Amendment adopted.

Bill ordered reprinted, engrossed and to third reading.

Senate Bill No. 243.

Bill read second time.

The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Human Resources and Facilities:

Amendment No. 260.

Amend section 1, page 2, by deleting lines 21 through 25 and inserting: “applicable collective bargaining agreement. A school ”.

Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sections 2 and 3 and renumbering sec. 4 as sec. 2.

Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:

“AN ACT relating to public schools; revising provisions governing the reemployment of employees of a charter school by a school district; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.”.

Senator Rawson moved the adoption of the amendment.

Remarks by Senator Rawson.

Amendment adopted.

Bill ordered reprinted, engrossed and to third reading.

Senate Bill No. 298.

Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.

Senate Bill No. 323.

Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.

Senate Bill No. 352.

Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.

Senate Bill No. 374.

Bill read second time.

The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Transportation:

Amendment No. 217.

Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sections 2 through 4 and renumbering sections 5 and 6 as sections 2 and 3.

Amend the title of the bill by deleting the third through eighth lines and inserting: “providing a penalty;”.

Senator O'Donnell moved the adoption of the amendment.

Remarks by Senator O'Donnell.

Amendment adopted.

Bill ordered reprinted, engrossed and to third reading.

Senate Bill No. 376.

Bill read second time.

The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Taxation:

Amendment No. 123.

Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sec. 6 and adding:

“Sec. 6. (Deleted by amendment.)”.

Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sec. 12, renumbering sections 10 and 11 as sections 11 and 12 and adding new sections designated sections 10 and 10.5, following sec. 9, to read as follows:

“Sec. 10. NRS 361.068 is hereby amended to read as follows:

361.068 1. The following personal property is exempt from taxation:

(a) Personal property held for sale by a merchant;

(b) Personal property held for sale by a manufacturer;

(c) Raw materials and components held by a manufacturer for manufacture into products, and supplies to be consumed in the process of manufacture;

(d) Tangible personal property purchased by a business which will be consumed during the operation of the business;

(e) Livestock;

(f) Colonies of bees;

(g) Pipe and other agricultural equipment used to convey water for the irrigation of legal crops;

(h) All boats;

(i) Slide-in campers and camper shells;

(j) Except as otherwise provided in NRS 361.186, fine art for public display; [and]

(k) Computers and related equipment donated for use in schools in this state [.] ; and

(l) All personal property that is:

(1) Owned by a person who is not a resident of this state; and

(2) Located in this state solely for the purposes of a display, exhibition, convention, carnival, fair or circus that is transient in nature.

2. The Nevada tax commission may exempt from taxation that personal property for which the annual taxes would be less than the cost of collecting those taxes. If such an exemption is provided, the Nevada tax commission shall annually determine the average cost of collecting property taxes in this state which must be used in determining the applicability of the exemption.

3. A person claiming the exemption provided for in paragraph (j) of subsection 1 shall:

(a) On or before June 15 for the next ensuing fiscal year, file with the county assessor an affidavit declaring that the fine art will, during that ensuing fiscal year, meet all the criteria set forth in paragraph (b) of subsection 5; and

(b) During any fiscal year in which he claims the exemption, make available for educational purposes and not for resale, upon written request and without charge to any public school as defined in NRS 385.007, private school as defined in NRS 394.103 and parent of a child who receives instruction in a home pursuant to NRS 392.070, one copy of a poster depicting the fine art that the facility has on public display if such a poster is available for purchase by the public at the time of the request.

4. To qualify for the exemption provided in paragraph (k) of subsection 1, a taxpayer must donate the property through a foundation or organization, not for profit, that accepts such property for use in schools in this state. The foundation or organization shall issue a voucher identifying each item of property donated. To obtain the benefit of the exemption, the taxpayer must apply to the county assessor and tender the voucher. The county assessor shall compute the assessed value of the property for the year in which the donation was made using the original cost and the year of acquisition. The county assessor shall allow a credit of that amount against the personal property assessment for the year following the donation.

5. As used in this section:

(a) “Boat” includes any vessel or other watercraft, other than a seaplane, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water.

(b) “Fine art for public display”:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (2), means a work of art which:

(I) Is an original painting in oil, mineral, water colors, vitreous enamel, pastel or other medium, an original mosaic, drawing or sketch, an original sculpture of clay, textiles, fiber, wood, metal, plastic, glass or a similar material, an original work of mixed media or a lithograph;

(II) Was purchased in an arm’s length transaction for $25,000 or more, or has an appraised value of $25,000 or more;

(III) Is on public display in a public or private art gallery, museum or other building or area in this state for at least 20 hours per week during at least 35 weeks of each year for which the exemption is claimed or, if the facility displaying the fine art disposes of it before the end of that year, during at least two-thirds of the full weeks during which the facility had possession of it, or if the gallery, museum or other building or area in which the fine art will be displayed will not be opened until after the beginning of the fiscal year for which the exemption is claimed, these display requirements must instead be met for the first full fiscal year after the date of opening, and the date of opening must not be later than 2 years after the purchase of the fine art being displayed; and

(IV) Is on display in a facility that is available for group tours by pupils or students for at least 5 hours on at least 60 days of each full year for which the exemption is claimed, during which the facility in which it is displayed is open, by prior appointment and at reasonable times, without charge; and

(2) Does not include:

(I) A work of fine art that is a fixture or an improvement to real property;

(II) A work of fine art that constitutes a copy of an original work of fine art, unless the work is a lithograph that is a limited edition and that is signed and numbered by the artist;

(III) Products of filmmaking or photography, including, without limitation, motion pictures;

(IV) Literary works;

(V) Property used in the performing arts, including, without limitation, scenery or props for a stage; or

(VI) Property that was created for a functional use other than, or in addition to, its aesthetic qualities, including, without limitation, a classic or custom-built automobile or boat, a sign that advertises a business, and custom or antique furniture, lamps, chandeliers, jewelry, mirrors, doors or windows.

(1) Meets the requirements of sub-subparagraphs (I) and (II) of subparagraph (1) of paragraph (b);

(2) Is made available for sale within 2 years after it is acquired; and

(3) Is made available for viewing by the public or prospective purchasers, or both, within 2 years after it is acquired, whether or not a fee is charged for viewing it and whether or not it is also used for purposes other than viewing.

(d) “Public display” means the display of a work of fine art where members of the public have access to the work of fine art for viewing during publicly advertised hours. The term does not include the display of a work of fine art in an area where the public does not generally have access, including, without limitation, a private office, hallway or meeting room of a business, a room of a business used for private lodging and a private residence.

(e) “Pupil” means a person who:

(1) Is enrolled for the current academic year in a public school as defined in NRS 385.007 or a private school as defined in NRS 394.103; or

(2) Receives instruction in a home and is excused from compulsory attendance pursuant to NRS 392.070.

(f) “Student” means a person who is enrolled for the current academic year in:

(1) A community college or university; or

(2) A licensed postsecondary educational institution as defined in NRS 394.099 and a course concerning fine art.

Sec. 10.5. NRS 361.068 is hereby amended to read as follows:

361.068 1. The following personal property is exempt from taxation:

(a) Personal property held for sale by a merchant;

(b) Personal property held for sale by a manufacturer;

(c) Raw materials and components held by a manufacturer for manufacture into products, and supplies to be consumed in the process of manufacture;

(d) Tangible personal property purchased by a business which will be consumed during the operation of the business;

(e) Livestock;

(f) Colonies of bees;

(g) Pipe and other agricultural equipment used to convey water for the irrigation of legal crops;

(h) All boats;

(i) Slide-in campers and camper shells; [and]

(j) Except as otherwise provided in NRS 361.186, fine art for public display [.] ; and

(k) All personal property that is:

(1) Owned by a person who is not a resident of this state; and

(2) Located in this state solely for the purposes of a display, exhibition, convention, carnival, fair or circus that is transient in nature.

3. A person claiming the exemption provided for in paragraph (j) of subsection 1 shall:

4. As used in this section:

(a) “Boat” includes any vessel or other watercraft, other than a seaplane, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water.

(b) “Fine art for public display”:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (2), means a work of art which:

(II) Was purchased in an arm’s length transaction for $25,000 or more, or has an appraised value of $25,000 or more;

(III) Is on public display in a public or private art gallery, museum or other building or area in this state for at least 20 hours per week during at least 35 weeks of each year for which the exemption is claimed or, if the facility displaying the fine art disposes of it before the end of that year, during at least two-thirds of the full weeks during which the facility had possession of it, or if the gallery, museum or other building or area in which the fine art will be displayed will not be opened until after the beginning of the fiscal year for which the exemption is claimed, these display requirements must be met for the first full fiscal year after the date of opening, and the date of opening must not be later than 2 years after the purchase of the fine art being displayed; and

(2) Does not include:

(I) A work of fine art that is a fixture or an improvement to real property;

(II) A work of fine art that constitutes a copy of an original work of fine art, unless the work is a lithograph that is a limited edition and that is signed and numbered by the artist;

(III) Products of filmmaking or photography, including, without limitation, motion pictures;

(IV) Literary works;

(V) Property used in the performing arts, including, without limitation, scenery or props for a stage; or

(1) Meets the requirements of sub-subparagraphs (I) and (II) of subparagraph (1) of paragraph (b);

(2) Is made available for sale within 2 years after it is acquired; and

(e) “Pupil” means a person who:

(1) Is enrolled for the current academic year in a public school as defined in NRS 385.007 or a private school as defined in NRS 394.103; or

(2) Receives instruction in a home and is excused from compulsory attendance pursuant to NRS 392.070.

(f) “Student” means a person who is enrolled for the current academic year in:

(1) A community college or university; or

(2) A licensed postsecondary educational institution as defined in NRS 394.099 and a course concerning fine art.”.

Amend sec. 13, page 7, line 29, by deleting “under” and inserting “pursuant to”.

Amend sec. 13, page 7, by deleting line 31 and inserting: “governmental services tax pursuant to chapter 371 of NRS.”.

Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sec. 15 and adding:

“Sec. 15. (Deleted by amendment.)”.

Amend sec. 26, page 16, line 13, by deleting “4,” and inserting “5,”.

Amend sec. 26, page 16, line 21, after “4.” by inserting: “Except as otherwise provided in NRS 361.505, taxes assessed upon personal property may be paid in four approximately equal installments if:

(a) The total personal property taxes assessed exceed $10,000;

(b) Not later than July 31, the taxpayer returns to the county assessor the written statement of personal property required pursuant to NRS 361.265;

(c) The taxpayer files with the county assessor, or county treasurer if the county treasurer has been designated to collect taxes, a written request to be billed in quarterly installments and includes with the request a copy of the written statement of personal property required pursuant to NRS 361.265; and

(d) The business has been in existence for at least 3 years if the personal property assessed is the property of a business.

5.”.

Amend sec. 26, page 16, line 25, by deleting “5.” and inserting “6.”.

Amend sec. 26, page 16, line 41, by deleting “6.” and inserting “7.”.

Amend sec. 26, page 17, line 1, by deleting “7.” and inserting “8.”.

Amend the bill as a whole by adding a new section designated sec. 31.5, following sec. 31, to read as follows:

“Sec. 31.5. NRS 371.101 is hereby amended to read as follows:

371.101 1. Vehicles registered by [widows] surviving spouses and orphan children not to exceed the amount of $1,000 determined valuation, are exempt from taxation, but the exemption must not be allowed to anyone but actual bona fide residents of this state, and must be filed in but one county in this state to the same family.

2. For the purpose of this section, vehicles in which the [widow] surviving spouse or orphan child has any interest shall be deemed to belong entirely to that [widow] surviving spouse or orphan child.

3. The person claiming the exemption shall file with the department in the county where the exemption is claimed an affidavit declaring his residency and that the exemption has been claimed in no other county in this state for that year. The affidavit must be made before the county assessor or a notary public. After the filing of the original affidavit, the county assessor shall mail a form for renewal of the exemption to the person each year following a year in which the exemption was allowed for that person. The form must be designed to facilitate its return by mail by the person claiming the exemption.

4. A [widow] surviving spouse is not entitled to the exemption provided by this section in any fiscal year beginning after [her] any remarriage, even if the remarriage is later annulled.”.

Amend sec. 45, page 28, lines 32 and 33, by deleting: “committee for assessing livestock” and inserting: “[committee for assessing livestock] state department of agriculture”.

Amend sec. 46, page 28, lines 39 and 40, by deleting: “committee for assessing livestock” and inserting: “[committee for assessing livestock] state department of agriculture”.

Amend sec. 47, page 29, by deleting lines 2 and 3 and inserting:

“571.035 1. Upon [receipt of the reports from the committee for assessing livestock] approval of the report of owners of livestock and sheep pursuant to NRS 575.180, the department shall fix the”.

Amend the bill as a whole by adding a new section designated sec. 47.5, following sec. 47, to read as follows:

“Sec. 47.5. Chapter 575 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a new section to read as follows:

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, any person who fails to pay the tax levied by the department pursuant to NRS 571.035, within the time required, shall pay a penalty of not more than 10 percent of the amount of the tax that is owed, in addition to the tax, plus interest at the rate of 1.5 percent per month, or fraction of a month, from the date the tax was due until the date of payment.

2. The department may, for good cause shown, waive or reduce the payment of the interest or penalty, or both, that is required to be paid pursuant to subsection 1. The department shall, upon the request of any person, disclose:

(a) The name of the person whose interest or penalty was waived or reduced; and

(b) The amount so waived or the amount of the reduction.

3. All taxes levied by the department on livestock pursuant to NRS 571.035, and all penalties and interest accrued thereon, constitute a lien upon the livestock until paid.”.

Amend sec. 48, page 29, lines 43 and 44, by deleting: “committee for assessing livestock” and inserting: “[committee for assessing livestock] state department of agriculture”.

Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sec. 49 and adding a new section designated sec. 49, following sec. 48, to read as follows:

“Sec. 49. NRS 575.080 is hereby amended to read as follows:

575.080 As used in NRS 575.080 to 575.230, inclusive, and section 47.5 of this act, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. “Board” means the state board of sheep commissioners.

2. “Department” means the state department of agriculture.

3. “Livestock” means the animals subject to the taxes levied pursuant to NRS 571.035 and 575.070.

4. “Sheep” means the animals subject to the taxes levied pursuant to NRS 562.170 and 567.110.

5. “Tax” means any of the taxes levied pursuant to NRS 562.170, 567.110, 571.035 and 575.070.”.

Amend sec. 51, page 31, line 6, by deleting “committee.” and inserting: “[committee.] department.”.

Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sec. 52 and adding:

“Sec. 52. (Deleted by amendment.)”.

Amend sec. 53, page 31, by deleting lines 17 and 18 and inserting: “sheep and the report of owners of livestock and sheep , [from the county assessor or] the department [, the committee for assessing livestock] shall:”.

Amend sec. 53, page 31, by deleting line 29 and inserting:

“2. The [committee for assessing livestock] department may verify the number of”.

Amend sec. 53, page 31, by deleting line 32 and inserting:

“3. If the [committee for assessing livestock] department changes the listings on the”.

Amend sec. 53, page 31, line 35, by deleting “committee” and inserting “[committee] department”.

Amend sec. 53, page 31, by deleting line 38 and inserting: “of the report made by the [committee for assessing livestock.] department.”.

Amend the bill as a whole by adding new sections designated sections 53.3 and 53.7, following sec. 53, to read as follows:

“Sec. 53.3. NRS 575.160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

575.160 If the [committee for assessing livestock] department determines that the amount of tax to be collected from an owner of livestock or sheep is less than the cost of collecting the tax, it may exempt that owner from the tax.

Sec. 53.7. NRS 575.170 is hereby amended to read as follows:

575.170 1. An owner of sheep or livestock who wishes to challenge the accuracy of the report as changed by the [committee for assessing livestock] department may, within 15 days after receiving notice of the change, file a statement with the [committee] department for assessing livestock for his county specifying the alleged inaccuracy.

2. Upon receipt of the statement under subsection 1, the [committee for assessing livestock] department shall review the allegations and may make any changes it considers necessary to make the report accurate and complete. An owner of sheep or livestock [,] or the board [, or the director of the department] may appeal from any decision of the [committee for assessing livestock] department to and in the manner prescribed by the state board of agriculture.”.

Amend sec. 54, page 31, by deleting lines 40 through 49 and inserting:

“575.180 1. When the report of owners of livestock and sheep is approved by the [committee for assessing livestock] department as complete and accurate, the approval must be noted on the report. [The] A copy of the approved report must be [returned to the county assessor, or the department if it is administering the special tax, and a copy] sent to the board [, the department unless it is administering the special tax,] and the Nevada beef council.

2. If, as the result of a challenge of the accuracy of the report, any change is ordered in the report of owners of livestock and sheep after it has been approved by the [committee for assessing livestock,] department, each recipient of a copy of the report [or copy] must be notified of the change.”.

Amend sec. 55, page 32, lines 6 and 7, by deleting: “committee for assessing livestock.” and inserting: “[committee for assessing livestock.] department.”.

Amend sec. 60, page 32, line 46, by deleting “575.100 is” and inserting: “575.090, 575.100 and 575.140 are”.

Amend sec. 61, pages 32 and 33, by deleting lines 47 and 48 on page 32 and lines 1 and 2 on page 33, and inserting:

“Sec. 61. 1. This section and sections 1 to 10, inclusive, 11, 12, 14 to 25, inclusive, 27 to 44, inclusive, and 59 of this act become effective on July 1, 2001.

2. Sections 13 and 26 of this act become effective at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2001.

3. Section 10 of this act expires by limitation on June 30, 2003.

4. Section 10.5 of this act becomes effective at 12:02 a.m. on July 1, 2003.

5. Sections 45 to 58, inclusive, and 60 of this act become effective on July 1, 2004.”.

Amend the text of repealed sections by adding the text of NRS 575.090 and 575.140.

Amend the title of the bill by deleting the second line and inserting: “certain property of nonresidents that is located in this state; repealing the provisions establishing the committee for assessing livestock; expanding”.

Senator McGinness moved the adoption of the amendment.

Remarks by Senator McGinness.

Amendment adopted.

Bill ordered reprinted, engrossed and to third reading.

MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES

Senator McGinness moved that Senate Bill No. 381 be taken from the Second Reading File and placed on the Second Reading File for the next legislative day.

Remarks by Senator McGinness.

Motion carried.

SECOND READING AND AMENDMENT

Senate Bill No. 415.

Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.

Senate Bill No. 501.

Bill read second time and ordered to third reading.

Senate Bill No. 527.

Bill read second time.

The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Taxation:

Amendment No. 189.

Amend the bill as a whole by renumbering sections 1 through 3 as sections 2 through 4 and adding a new section designated section 1, following the enacting clause, to read as follows:

“Section 1. NRS 370.025 is hereby amended to read as follows:

370.025 “Contraband cigarettes” means any cigarettes :

1. Acquired, sold, held, owned, possessed, constructively possessed, transported, exported from or imported into this state by any person in violation of [any of the provisions of this chapter or which] a state or federal law; or

2. Which are, in any way, held in the possession or constructive possession of any person not authorized under this chapter to possess or constructively possess these cigarettes.”.

Amend the bill as a whole by renumbering sections 4 and 5 as sections 8 and 9 and adding new sections designated sections 5 through 7, following sec. 3, to read as follows:

“Sec. 5. NRS 370.410 is hereby amended to read as follows:

370.410 Any person acquiring, selling, holding, owning, transporting, exporting, importing, possessing or constructively possessing contraband cigarettes is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Sec. 6. NRS 370.415 is hereby amended to read as follows:

370.415 [The] Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4 of NRS 370.270, the department, its agents, sheriffs within their respective counties and all other peace officers of the State of Nevada shall seize , confiscate and destroy any contraband cigarettes found or located in the State of Nevada.

Sec. 7. Chapter 370A of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a new section to read as follows:

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a person may institute a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction for appropriate injunctive relief if the person:

(a) Sells, distributes or manufactures cigarettes; and

(b) Sustains direct economic or commercial injury as a result of a violation of the provisions of this chapter.

2. Nothing in this section authorizes an action against this state, a political subdivision of this state, or an officer, employee or agency thereof.”.

Amend the title of the bill, fifth line, after “States;” by inserting: “expanding the definition of contraband cigarettes; expanding the scope of prohibited activities with regard to contraband cigarettes; requiring certain contraband cigarettes to be confiscated and destroyed; providing for a private right of action for injunctive relief regarding a violation of chapter 370A of NRS;”.

Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:

“SUMMARY—Revises provisions governing contraband cigarettes, licensing and taxation of cigarette dealers and enforcement of statutes regarding cigarettes. (BDR 32‑1326)”.

Senator McGinness moved the adoption of the amendment.

Remarks by Senator McGinness.

Amendment adopted.

Bill ordered reprinted, engrossed and to third reading.

Senate Bill No. 550.

Bill read second time.

The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Judiciary:

Amendment No. 263.

Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sec. 4 and renumbering sec. 5 as sec. 4.

Amend the title of the bill by deleting the fifth and sixth lines and inserting: “during the performance of his duties; and”.

Senator Care moved the adoption of the amendment.

Remarks by Senator Care.

Amendment adopted.

Bill ordered reprinted, engrossed and to third reading.

GENERAL FILE AND THIRD READING

Senate Bill No. 20.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 20:

Yeas—19.

Nays—Jacobsen, Neal—2.

Senate Bill No. 20 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senator Raggio moved that the Senate recess until 1:10 p.m.

Motion carried.

Senate in recess at 12:41 p.m.

SENATE IN SESSION

At 1:33 p.m.

President Hunt presiding.

Quorum present.

Senate Bill No. 39.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 39:

Yeas—19.

Nays—None.

Not Voting—Mathews, Raggio—2.

Senate Bill No. 39 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 62.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 62:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 62 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 77.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 77:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 77 having received a two-thirds majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 115.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 115:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 115 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 138.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 138:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 138 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 171.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 171:

Yeas—19.

Nays—None.

Not Voting—Care, Coffin—2.

Senate Bill No. 171 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 175.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 175:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 175 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 191.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 191:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 191 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 231.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 231:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 231 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 249.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 249:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 249 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 252.

Bill read third time.

Remarks by Senators Neal, Carlton and Townsend.

Senator Townsend moved that Senate Bill No. 252 be placed at the bottom of the General File.

Motion carried.

Senate Bill No. 254.

Bill read third time.

The following amendment was proposed by Senators McGinness and Washington:

Amendment No. 292.

Amend the bill as a whole by deleting section 1 and renumbering sections 2 and 3 as sections 1 and 2.

Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:

“AN ACT relating to capital punishment; providing for a study of issues regarding the death penalty; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.”.

Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:

“SUMMARY––Provides for study of issues regarding death penalty. (BDR S‑871)”.

Senator McGinness moved the adoption of the amendment.

Remarks by Senators McGinness, Rawson, James, Neal and Raggio.

Senator McGinness requested that the following remarks be entered in the Journal.

Senator McGinness:

Thank you, Madam President. This amendment will simply remove the moratorium and leave the study intact. I think the study is something we should do. The Chairman of Judiciary ably pointed out nine points that needed to be studied. I agree with him. I do not agree with the moratorium. I think the extended appeal process and delays that are in the death penalty arena are really an unwritten moratorium. Right now, it takes an average of 12 years to execute those people who have been sentenced to death. That time has only grown. The time between sentencing and execution has risen from an average of 8 years in 1989 to 12 years in 1999.

I had my legislative intern look at some moratoriums that were proposed in the last two years. In Illinois, the legislature did not pass a moratorium. It was done by executive order. In Connecticut, there were two senate bills, both were killed in committee. In New Hampshire, the legislature voted to repeal the death penalty, the Governor vetoed the bill. In Oklahoma, the death penalty repeal died in committee. In Pennsylvania, there was a moratorium offered; it died in committee. In Nebraska, the abolition did not pass, but the death penalty was changed to “life without possibility of parole.” Last year, in Washington State, the death penalty moratorium died in committee. In Montana, it died in committee. In New Jersey, it died in committee. In Maryland, it died in committee. In North Carolina, it died in committee. In California, the prohibition for the death penalty for 16 to 18 year-olds failed, and the death penalty for persons 16 years old and younger was left in committee. I think we are plowing new ground here, and I would urge your support of this amendment.

Senator Rawson:

Thank you, Madam President. I was troubled by some of the words used in the discussion the last time we visited this; the use of the word moratorium and status quo. I spent a little time with a legal thesaurus trying to get the actual meaning of those words, and what we were actually doing. The thesaurus, and I recognize this isn’t a dictionary, gives some definitions. It lists moratorium as a noun. It refers to it as an abeyance, a break, a cessation, a period of obligatory delay, a postponement, a recess and a temporary halt. Associated concepts would be things like a moratorium on repayment of debt. If you contrast it with what I think we have actually seen in the last few years, I think we have seen a hiatus or a pause, not a true moratorium. A pause would be an abeyance, a delay, a gap, an interval, procrastination or a relaxation. If we looked at the word hiatus it has similar definitions, so you would see things like break, gap, incompleteness, lull, an intervening period.

Maybe because of legitimate concerns, because of the Ninth Circuit Court, because of our Supreme Court or for whatever reasons, there has been reluctance, a slowing down of the process. But it hasn’t been an official moratorium.

We, then, get to the issue of status quo. If we enact a moratorium, we don’t really maintain the status quo; we change the situation. We take an active role in changing it. I could read the definition of status quo. It is an absence of change, a conservation of the same situation, an equilibrium, a maintenance of regularity, a preservation of the same conditions. That may be a fine point in the semantics of this whole discussion. It seems to me that it is relevant. We do make a change if we offer the moratorium. The significance of that is maybe we prejudice the study, maybe not. My sense of it, and what I have been assured, is that there are no death sentences that are scheduled to take place during this time. I do not know if we would ever really know that for sure. I feel strongly that we need to study the issue. I will probably support the issue if this amendment fails.

I would like to mention one other thing and that is the distinction between “freedom” and “free will.” The reason this is so important and why it deserves some discussion and notes for the record is that the phrase is heard, “iron bars do not a prison make.” We can put someone in prison. We do not really change their will or their sovereign wills, their ability to be able to decide what they want to be or how they want to act. The only thing we really have in this life, really in the sense of freedom, is free will. If we take that from an individual, then we really have taken something from them. You can take their freedom from them, and it doesn’t necessarily defeat them. It doesn’t necessarily stop them. But if we take their life, then there is no more option. It is a serious matter. I think we ought to take it very seriously, and that is the reason I am willing to support the study at this point. I hope we would do that without changing the status quo, without changing the way things are.

Senator James:

Thank you, Madam President. I rise in opposition to this amendment for all of the reasons that I articulated when we had this debate at some length last week. I won’t repeat those all, again, today. But I would take issue with the previous speaker’s definition of maintenance of the status quo. That is not from the legal standpoint, in my opinion, what the status quo is. The word most often comes up in the context of people who are fighting over some sort of irreversible thing that is going on. It is most often used in a court. If someone is doing something that they can never take back, that is when injunctive relief is available to a party to prevent that from happening because you can’t rectify it with money damages or anything else. Let us say the person is doing something to destroy property that can never be repaired. Maintaining the status quo is not to say, “go settle your dispute over the next two years and let them keep destroying the property in the meantime.” That is not what the court means by status quo. What the court does is to enter an order maintaining the status quo so this dispute can then be settled. There won’t be anything irreversible that happens on either side in the meantime.

What the Judiciary Committee has brought to this Senate is a litany of questions and a litany of concerns: legal, factual concerns about the process and administration of justice and about the carrying out of death sentences in the State of Nevada. I haven’t heard one Senator say there shouldn’t be a study of all those legitimate concerns. While the study takes place, that each and every one of us here embraces, the moratorium says we won’t do anything that is irreversible, and there is nothing more irreversible than the taking of a human life. That is all I am asking in this bill.

I am not asking to abolish the death penalty. I am not asking anyone here to make that moral decision. I and members of the Judiciary Committee supported this bill as it is before you without amendment and are asking not to do anything irreversible, not to change the status quo. Nothing earth-shaking is going to happen. People who have sat in their cells on death row in Nevada will sit a little longer and await the outcome of this study. At which time, we will have all the information from the study, and we can carry on a more reasoned, rational and better debate that is grounded in actual facts, evidence and information to be brought to this floor of which we can be confident. That is what this is about. That is why I ask the Senate to reject the amendment and to support the bill with a moratorium for whatever period that happens to be, 18 months from the end of this session or from the time of the enactment of this bill or until the time we reconvene and take up this issue again.

Senator Neal:

Madam President, and members of the Senate, I rise in opposition to the amendment mainly because as I stated the other day, it seems to be illogical in my judgment to have a study of a death penalty and still keep intact a framework where an execution can occur. It does not make any sense. In reiterating what I said the other day, we have studied all of our criminal laws three or four times since I have been in this Legislature going on some 30 years now. I was here in 1976 when the Supreme Court put a moratorium in the Forman vs. Georgia case. I was here when we began to look at lethal injection as opposed to the gas chamber for the method of execution. We made the public policy to permit lethal injection as the form of execution in this State. Since that time, we have treated it as an absolute that it should never be looked at again. Almost saying that what was done was through some type of divine guidance, God-like, that we should never trouble those waters and reexamine that process.

Senator James offered an amendment to the bill in which I had asked for the abolishment of the death penalty. Of course, my position is not one that has come to me in just a few days. I have always held that position since I have been in this Legislature. But I was willing to compromise and allow him to amend my bill to put in this moratorium to take a look at this particular sentence. I thought it was necessary, given the facts that have come to light, not only here in the State of Nevada, but all across this country according to what we have observed and read about in the movies and publications about the sentence of death. I do not think anyone in this House should believe he is more a man or woman because they want or believe in capital punishment. I do not want to think that is the opinion of this body or the sense of anyone who is serving here.

Life is very important, and when we take a life or allow the State to take a life, we should make sure that those rules are proper and just. So far, we do not know that because of what we have seen, time and time again, across this country. Governor Ryan, a Republican of Illinois, looked up one day and 13 people who were on death row turned out to be innocent. Why not study; why not take a look at a punishment so final in its application that you cannot make any amends after it has been carried out. Why not have a study? It is right and proper for us to do that.

The other day, I heard my good friend interject the case of Timothy McVeigh. McVeigh’s case is totally different than the ones we are dealing with here. McVeigh considered himself to be a soldier in an army against this country. As such, as a soldier, then he must suffer the consequences of his act. It is like many of us who have had an opportunity to serve in the Armed Services, those of us who were there knew that at any time our lives could be taken in defense of this country, and anytime we betrayed the country in the sense of treason, our lives could be taken.

Therein lies the difference. McVeigh’s case is not different from the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in which some of us here, in this House, fought. There is no difference from the attack that started the Civil War. This nation fought back as a nation. What are we talking about here? We are talking about state action, public policy, and that has a tendancy to favor the rich and the power to swerve in favor of the majority of those who administer the laws. Why shouldn’t we look at those things? Why shouldn’t we have a moratorium and take another look because we want to be right in what we are doing? Just as we look at any laws involving burglary and at laws involving the mentally ill. We do it all the time, but somehow, this becomes somewhat sacrosanct where we say that, “we cannot do this because it might make us less than a man or woman.” You don’t have to be a man or a woman to kill someone. School kids are doing it all of the time.

I would submit, Madam President, if the proper studies are done, we might find the culture of death we adhere to in this country might be what is now spreading to those youngsters who take up a gun to take a life because someone pushed them in a hallway or someone said something nasty to them. They perceive it as an attack upon their dignity or their self-respect.

Why not look at this punishment and try to come to a consideration as to whether it is right or not. It has been here almost 30 years in operation as a lethal injection system. No one thought for a moment to look at it, but it has become the province of the district attorneys who argue before juries that this is the proper punishment to carry out. Those juries aren’t so infallible that they cannot make a mistake. Think about it, think about the many mistakes you have probably made. Think about the misjudgments that you have probably made. It is no different from a jury. There is no difference than putting someone in a lineup. It is someone making a judgment. There is no difference in having the white coats who work in the criminal labs and look at certain evidence and making judgments about that evidence.

I applaud Senator James for his courage in bringing this bill before this floor and asking for this moratorium. I will support him because this is a world which is going to be inherited by Mark James and many others of this world. People like the majority leader and myself are not going to be around that long. We can talk about this particular policy, and we can say what we feel about it, but in 15 or 20 years, we are probably going to be pushing up daisies someplace. But James and others like him, young people, are going to be here. Why shouldn’t they take a look at this policy and study it, and see whether or not those of us who have preceded him did make the right judgment in doing this. I will be voting for this, and I hope all of my colleagues here will vote against the amendment and allow the moratorium to go on because, as I said early in my discussion of this issue, it seems illogical to have a study while executions continue. I would hate to see, at the end of this study, that someone would look upon us and ask if we did the right thing because we allowed executions to continue. Let us do the study, and if the study determines that executions should be the call of the day, so be it. But let it happen after this body has said they want to look at that punishment and be able to evaluate it and see what has happened. I think that the people of the State of Nevada need this, and we owe that to them.

Senator Raggio:

Thank you Madam President. I had made up my mind I was not going to speak, again, on this issue. However, I have been drawn into it because of some previous remarks. My position has not changed.

I find some of the statements that were made by the previous speaker to be entirely inconsistent and, certainly, not logical. We can endorse something that has been referenced in the United States Constitution and in our own Constitution, both indicating that capital punishment is an appropriate sentence. By title, by designating that we should, all of a sudden, have a moratorium on the imposition of that sentence what we are doing is suggesting that the process has somehow failed in this State. Again, I am going to indicate no one has shown us a case of failure of the system in the State of Nevada. If we do not impose this so called moratorium, there are still processes in existence that can deal with any issue that arises during this biennium. There are appeals. There are post‑conviction remedies. There is a Board of Pardons if anything can be shown that should indicate in anyway that a death sentence properly imposed by a jury in this State should somehow not be imposed.

There is ample protection if we are going to do a study. Let us not reverse the situation and do the study before we take away what is presently in existence. I can endorse the study; although, I will tell you, frankly, I believe that there has been study after study after study. The only thing that has been fairly recent has been the use of DNA testing. We do not have a case, to my understanding, in this State that calls out for some, absolute, across-the-board moratorium on the imposition of the death penalty because there is some DNA evidence lurking somewhere that might prove somebody innocent.

I resent the implications, here, that somehow district attorneys talk people into these kinds of sentences, and that is what I seem to have heard. I can tell you that to my understanding and experience, the prosecutors in this State take their oath and responsibility seriously. They do not go out looking for someone to execute whom they think is innocent. Having said that, I can tell you they do an excellent job in working with the law enforcement agencies, working with the survivors of these heinous offenses, to put these perpetrators in jail and to see to it that they receive the penalty that is warranted.

In this State, the death penalty is warranted in certain cases. Certainly, not in all cases as I indicated previously. The problem here is we are not consistent. The distinguished Senator, who spoke before me, said the McVeigh case is different. Well, if a moratorium on all capital punishment is good for Pricilla Ford, who ran down 20 people on Thanksgiving Day 30 years ago, if it is alright for her, then why isn’t it alright for Timothy McVeigh who blew up a federal building and killed hundreds of people.

What if somebody does something like that in the interim here, should that person be the beneficiary of this proposal? I suggest we study it; although as I indicated, I think we have had enough study. The reason behind the introduction of this bill was the abolishment of capital punishment. This moratorium is a step toward that direction; regardless of what anyone else says, this is the first step. I do not think we should send that message at this point. We can continue the study. We do not need the moratorium. If there is an instance that needs to be called to the attention of a court or a pardons board, there is plenty of opportunity to do that. The Senator who introduced this amendment indicated a list of states that have had this same issue before them, and they denied the moratorium. The only state which has imposed it is, I believe, Illinois. They did adopt a moratorium, but the majority of states that have dealt with this suggestion have rightfully said “no, we do not need a moratorium.’’ I will support the study. I will vote for this amendment to do away with the proposed moratorium.

Senator James:

Madam President, I wasn’t going to rise, again, but I need to say a couple of things about the previous support for the amendment. First of all, if someone commits a capital crime during the time that this moratorium is in effect, they will not be the beneficiaries of a moratorium in the sense that they will not receive a sentence of capital punishment. They will receive that sentence. The bill specifically provides that capital cases proceed to judgment, judgment of conviction and judgment of sentence, in the same manner that they do under the current law, notwithstanding the moratorium. If any crime is committed, Nevada still has the death penalty. Nevada has a moratorium. Nevada has a self‑imposed mandatory break from carrying out actual sentences of death during the time of the study, that we all know is needed and embraced, is carried out.

It has been indicated there has been study after study but there hasn’t been a study in Nevada. I do not know of any study that has ever been done in Nevada of capital punishment since it was re-imposed in the 1979 session. It is time for that. There have been changes in the law. There have been changes in the demographics of society. There have been changes in the mores of society. There have been changes in technology that is applicable to criminal cases with the advent of DNA evidence, its admissibility, its effect upon juries and its effect upon final proof of guilt or innocence in a given case. All of those things would be addressed by the study.

Madam President, the suggestion here, today, is that we should look to other states who have had moratoriums proposed in their legislatures and have rejected them. I will make a couple of comments about those. First of all, as you listened to the Senator from Fallon read off that litany, the one thing you heard the most was that the moratorium bill died in committee; it died in committee; it died in committee. That means that a chairman made a decision not to bring up the bill, most likely, or that a few members of the legislative body decided to vote against a bill. I would, probably, guess that it is the former. It didn’t die in this committee. It came from the committee, and I cannot think of a better way for an issue like this to be either accepted or rejected than on the floor of the people’s house. I am glad that in Nevada, if we are pioneering, at least in the discussion of this issue, that we are carrying on this debate here, today, for all of our constituents to participate in through us.

Finally, to ask that we all bring the debate down from the high emotional level that inevitably comes when you discuss something as morally difficult as the death penalty and bring it down to what the Judiciary Committee truly brought to this floor and that is that we take a moment, a moment in the great history of this State. The 18-month length of this moratorium will be a moment, take a moment, wait, don't carry out any execution. We will be doing nothing more than what we have done without moratoriums in the past for five-year periods. Whether you call them moratoriums or hiatus, it doesn’t matter. Allow the study to go forward without the chance of a death sentence being carried on at the same time. It would be a great incongruity if the committee studying the death penalty in Nevada were to convene in a meeting one morning and to have a sentence of death being carried out that evening when the committee is convened by this Legislature for the reason, for the purpose and for the justification that the death penalty is ripe for review as to whether it is truly given justly in Nevada. That would be a great incongruity. It would be a great injustice in and of itself.

Senators McGinness, Raggio and Jacobsen requested a roll call vote on Senator McGinness’ motion.

Roll call on Senator McGinness’ motion:

Yeas—9

Nays—Care, Carlton, Coffin, Jacobsen, James, Mathews, Neal, O'Donnell, Schneider, Shaffer, Titus, Wiener—12.

The motion having failed to receive a majority, Madam President declared it lost.

Senator Titus moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.

Motion carried.

Senate in recess at 2:24 p.m.

SENATE IN SESSION

At 2:32 p.m.

President Hunt presiding.

Quorum present.

The following amendment was proposed by Senator Amodei.

Amendment No. 377.

Amend section 1, page 1, by deleting lines 1 through 17 and inserting:

“Section 1. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule of court, order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or warrant of execution of a sentence of death, a moratorium on the execution of all sentences of death is hereby established until July 1, 2003, and the sentence of any person sentenced to death before, on or after the effective date of this act must not be executed until July 1, 2003.

2. The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply to the execution of a sentence of death of any person who, not later than 30 days before the beginning of the week within which his judgment of death is to be executed, submits a written statement to the Director of the Department of Prisons, on a form prescribed and provided by the Director, that:

(a) Is signed by the person in the presence of two attesting witnesses; and

(b) States that the person:

(1) Is submitting a written statement pursuant to this subsection voluntarily and not under duress or coercion;

(2) Has had the opportunity to consult with an attorney regarding the provisions of this section and the effect of submitting a written statement pursuant to this subsection;

(3) Is competent and not under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance that would impair his ability to understand the effect of submitting a written statement pursuant to this subsection;

(4) Understands that submitting a written statement pursuant to this subsection will result in the execution of his sentence of death; and

(5) Desires that his sentence of death be executed, despite the fact that a moratorium on the execution of sentences of death has been established pursuant to this section.”.

Amend the title of the bill, second line, after “death” by inserting: “of certain persons”.

Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:

“SUMMARY––Establishes moratorium on execution of sentences of death of certain persons until July 1, 2003, and provides for study of issues regarding death penalty. (BDR S‑871)”.

Senator Amodei moved the adoption of the amendment.

Remarks by Senators Amodei, James, Neal, Care, Coffin and Raggio.

Senator McGinness requested that the following remarks be entered in the Journal.

Senator Amodei:

Thank you Madam President. Thank you for opportunity to discuss this issue. I have never risen in this context before in this Chamber or the other Chamber of this building.

I support Senate Bill No. 254 in terms of its study and terms of a moratorium on the execution of death sentences that are imposed after it is enacted. Let me repeat that. I support the study and the moratorium on the imposition on death sentences where people do not want to be executed. The amendment before you, that was just passed out, is basically straight forward. If someone who is presently under an imposition of capital sentence and requests that it be carried out, after they meet about a half a dozen criteria contained in the amendment, then the moratorium does not apply to them. That is a key point. This amendment does not take away the ability of anyone who is presently under capital sentence in this State to wait out the results of the study that we all agree ought to be conducted. Accordingly, I would ask that if someone who is presently under that sentence and makes the decision that they want to assume the ultimate responsibility for the process that they have been through, that we ought to respect that wish. This removes no protections that are available under existing law, and it removes no protections that are available by virtue of the enactment of Senate Bill No. 254.

When we talk about amendments and bills and being open-minded, I have lobbied nobody in this Chamber on this issue. The vast majority of you having been here and doing this much longer than I have. You don’t need my input in terms of what you ought to think. Everybody already has those opinions formulated. Let me suggest one thing to you, the Judiciary Committee did an excellent job in coming up with this amendment to Senate Bill No. 254. This is what it started out as, and the present bill is an amendment. My colleagues, I would suggest to you we ought to be just as open-minded to amendments that come from other directions that represent some thought that ought to address those folks who are on death row now who want their sentences carried out. Accordingly, I would request your bi-partisan, statewide support for Amendment No. 377 to Senate Bill No. 254, and I would further request that this matter be the subject of a roll call vote.

Senator James:

Thank you, Madam President. I rise in opposition to this amendment. I am trying to sort through my mind whether the current state of affairs in Nevada, that we seek to rectify through a carefully planned study, is worse or if this amendment is worse. It is close.

Madam President, think about what we are doing. If we impose a moratorium on all sentences of death in order to carry out a study and then make an exception for anyone who wants to die, that is not capital punishment. It is not the death penalty. It is assisted suicide. We have people who are on life sentences and who are on death row on suicide watches. We would, as a Legislature, be in an embarrassing situation where someone can say I want you to kill me because I want to die, and then we carry out that wish. If the death penalty has any moral underpinnings at all, it is because the State has reached a decision that, notwithstanding, what’s in the mind of this individual, we are going to carry out a sentence of death on them. It is that moral underpinning, it is that basis for the compulsion that is what the death penalty is, and that is what we have to decide. Think about it. Boil this amendment down to its rudimentary factual scenario of the defendant, the convict with the sentence of death who sits in his cell and decides one day, I have had enough of this, I want to die. That is the same as having us walk into the cell and give them a gun. The fact that we carry it out through intravenous drugs is no different than if it is carried out in any other way. If you do not want there to be a moratorium on the death penalty while we study this penalty in Nevada, then vote against the bill. Do not adopt an amendment in this bill which creates a moral dichotomy that puts us in the business of carrying out the death wishes of those who wish to martyr themselves. That is what we would be doing. I do not know what the votes are, I ask you, notwithstanding any other discussion, any other input you have had, to look in your heart and make a choice on this issue and not to embrace that kind of a system. That truly would be unprecedented and would put Nevada in a very unenviable position, vis-à-vis the rest of this country. To not have a death penalty during this time of moratorium but to be saying, “yes, we, as a State, will kill you if you want to die.”

Senator Neal:

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I rise in opposition to the amendment for many of the same reasons that Senator James has stated. But more than that, think with me for a moment of someone you have known who wanted to kill themselves and took sleeping pills. My first reaction, as a person who loves life, would be to get that person to a hospital and have their stomach pumped.

But the public policy, here, is saying that it is all right if you want to commit suicide. But do not expect to call 911 for help because that is the State. If you want to commit suicide and you are on death row, have the State lend you a hand. We are not talking about reasonable and logical individuals. What about a person who is mentally disturbed; do we then allow that person to make that choice? I don’t think so. Somehow, I believe that the decency in human beings would tend to frown on that type of action. I believe that the decency in human beings would say, no, this couldn’t be done. The State should not allow you, in this case, to commit suicide.

Now, I understand why the gentleman introduced this amendment. But you also have to think about the public message that is sent to the residents of this State. Think about it. It’s all right for you to commit suicide.

I don’t know whether anybody here has experienced death in terms of observing someone who has died. I don’t know if anyone here has had the opportunity to try to revive someone and see that person pass away while you are trying to resuscitate that individual. I have had those experiences, and I guess it assures me that there is something still precious about life. That we don’t just cast it aside, and that we would still try to nourish it if we can.

It’s a given. There are some rules that say we must go down that road and allow death to occur. I stated those rules to you earlier. The amendment to this bill, besides trying to separate those who are on death row from those who might come to be on death row during this moratorium and who want to commit suicide, says it is alright for the State to participate in that. I would submit to you, Madam President, this is the wrong message and the wrong public policy to be emanating from these halls and this Chamber. We should be about teaching respect for life. That’s what we should be about, teaching respect for life. To have those individuals who are mentally ill or otherwise make that choice and for the State to participate in carrying it out, is the wrong public policy. For this State to enact any bill, whether it be resolution, Senate Concurrent Resolution or the Nevada Revised Statutes is just wrong.

Senator Amodei:

It is interesting to hear the discussion in terms of a moratorium or a partial lift of a moratorium couched in terms of the ultimate issue as to whether or not the death penalty is right or wrong. Before bringing this amendment, I asked questions of members of the committee in this context. Before bringing this amendment, I reviewed the CD of the hearing that the committee had on this. This issue was not discussed. If by thinking this issue was important to discuss, caused people to be offended, I apologize for that. But this issue was not discussed in front of the committee. The more global issues were focused on as they should have been. One other thing that has not been said on this floor, yet, and that is, that in the last 20 years that we have been carrying out executions in this State, the vast majority of those carried out were at the request of the person under capital sentence. Where were the suicide cries then? If you want to bring up the suicide word, then those who have voted, to make capital offenses, capital offenses, have assisted them in the first step of their suicide. That, I would submit to you is not the case. It is against the law in this State to do certain acts which if they have risen in the social consciousness to such a high level of heinousness that the imposition of a capital sentence is available, we have made that decision. We may revisit it after this study. The vast majority of people we have imposed that sentence on in the last 20 years have requested the imposition of that sentence. The imposition of this sentence is not, I would submit to you, but the decision to commit a capital crime is the start down the path of being held responsible for what we as a society, so far on the books and the laws of this State, have decided. If you commit these things, you may have to, under appropriate circumstances, forfeit your life.

The 18 months is a short time. That is absolutely correct. The way our system works, the chances of anybody getting through that if they do not want to are slim and none. That has been made clear, and I believe that to be a fact. So when you talk about this sentence . . . hear people talk about maintaining the status quo in what has been done, this will maintain that status quo. The hour is late, and I have spoken for the second time. I will yield the floor to my colleagues. Thank you.

Senator Care:

Thank you, Madam President. I sit on the Judiciary Committee and the gentleman from Carson City has said much of what I was going to say. Let me just say one other thing. In 1979 and 1980, I sat in a courtroom in Las Vegas. The first person to be executed in Nevada following the moratorium imposed by the United States Supreme Court in 1972 or 1974 was a gentleman name by the name of Jesse Bishop. It did not become public until after he was executed, but he had confessed on a tape recording to a district court judge and a homicide detective to the murders of 20 other people. He was in the courtroom that day because he had exhausted his avenues of appeal, his post conviction remedies, everything, and was ready to die. The ACLU, among others, did not want him to. He convinced the judge that he should have his way. This amendment, and I thank the gentleman from Carson City for offering it, accommodates people like Jesse Bishop. I support it.

Senator James:

Madam President, I will be brief, but let me just remind the Senators of this. The death penalty, which is the ultimate penalty, emanates from an act, a process of justice and a decision. And only under that course of events can someone be executed. It comes from the State. It comes from the justice system. It comes from the jury. That’s the death penalty. The death penalty doesn’t come from a decision that starts with a grain of despair inside the head of a person sitting incarcerated in a cell. That’s not the death penalty. That is a decision that I want to die.

This is amazing. This amendment says to do this you must sign a statement, saying I voluntarily and not under duress or coercion have decided I want to die. I want you to kill me. Where do they sign that statement? On death row? This isn’t the death penalty we are talking about here. Let’s not do this. I ask my colleagues; I beg you not to do this thing. This is a horrible precedent for Nevada, for the federal government, for any state to set.

To say that we will put you behind bars through whatever process, we will be studying that process, and if you decide that you are going to give up or if your mental condition deteriorates to whatever point that you want to die, then we’ll kill you. But the decision is completely yours. It has nothing to do with the process, whether it was fair. It doesn’t have anything to do with whether you’re guilty or you’re innocent, or whether there are still appeals left in your case. It just has to do with what you decide in your own head.

That’s why I brought up, as the Senator said, the suicide word. Because that’s what it becomes. If we can bring this back down to the level that it was when it was proposed. It’s just a study. It just maintains the status quo. This amendment puts us in a moral quandary in Nevada that is unprecedented. I, again, ask my colleagues to reject this amendment. If you don’t want the moratorium then vote against the bill. Don’t put this inconsistency inside it.

Senator Coffin:

Thank you Madam President. I want to engage the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee in a colloquy on a couple of questions I have. It might be helpful to me, because when I first saw the amendment I realized it was a form of assisted suicide as I saw it. You read daily of convicts who say “kill me; I’m guilty; please kill me.” They may have recanted a previous statement of innocence, but they do now want to die for reasons we’re not sure about.

The thing is, the question of assisted suicide has arisen, and I am curious if the Judiciary Committee has studied the issue. I know there are a good many people who are opposed to assisted suicide in the State of Nevada. You see it every day, frankly, where there is a person committing suicide by cops, forcing a young officer of the law to shoot them by feigning the drawing of a weapon. Its been known to happen. And, of course, the officer is forced to live for the rest of his or her life having the knowledge that they killed a person who had no intention of killing them. I’m curious if the question of assisted suicide has even come up for discussion. Did this amendment really come up for discussion in committee? Had it been thought out and considered by the committee?

Senator James:

I’ll answer the question, Madam President. We didn’t consider this amendment in the committee. I for one would have had the same position I have now. The issue of assisted suicide and these types of things have come before the Judiciary Committee in various forms over the years, though never in a form like this. I have never seen a precedent for assisted suicide that’s carried out pursuant to the wishes of someone who has been sentenced to death while the state has set aside those sentences for a period of time in which to study the issue. Yet by adopting this amendment someone can simply, by their own wish, set in motion the mechanism of the carrying out of the death penalty. I have never heard of that. This didn’t come up in the committee. I think it is inconsistent with what the committee embraced and what a majority of the committee recommended. I think that is why it didn’t come up.

Senator Raggio:

Thank you, Madam President. I am going to vote for this amendment. I resent the implication and the characterization that those of us who vote for this amendment are voting for assisted suicide. I need to correct the implication because several of the speakers have suggested that to allow this would be assisted suicide. One of the speakers indicated that this is without precedent. There is no moratorium on the imposition of the death penalty, for example, in the federal court system. We have referenced the case of Timothy McVeigh several times. He is presently going to be executed this month because he has requested that he be executed. He has requested that no further proceedings be initiated on his behalf. Is that assisted suicide? Is the federal government assisting in his suicide? Certainly not! Don't get up here in this body and suggest—that because some defendant who is in jail, who is in prison, who has perpetrated an offense of this kind, who has gone through the process, who has been determined to be guilty of such a heinous offense that he deserves capital punishment, however it is carried out, whether he requests it or not—that the State is guilty of assisted suicide.

The precedent is clear. We have several cases in this State where that person has said, “I want to die. I don’t want any more appeals.”

I am not going to sit here, when the public in this State overwhelmingly supports the retention of capital punishment, and be part of the process that is aimed toward the abolition of capital punishment, and then have somebody suggest that because we vote for this amendment to allow somebody to make that decision rather than to sit in prison, is, somehow, going to be construed that we are endorsing assisted suicide. I will not tolerate that. That characterization is improper.

Senator Coffin:

Thank you, Madam President, for allowing me to continue my colloquy that I was engaging in with the chairman of the committee. The other question I had for him had to do with the fact that there is a gentleman on death row whose execution is imminent, and he has asked for that execution. I do not know if he has asked for that to be speeded up or whether all appeals have been exhausted. I am not educated on the status of that case. Since this bill apparently is effective on passage and approval, and I do not know if there will be further delaying tactics on this bill, on this floor today or at some other time, should it pass to the other house and if it were to be passed rapidly before the date of execution, which, I think, is four days away, do the provisions in this bill apply to that gentlemen or can he verbally simply say, “Kill me anyway.”

Senator James:

The provisions would apply to each and every person who is on death row and for whom a capital sentence has not been carried out on and after the effective date of the act until it self-sunsets in 2003. If the Senator will allow, in addition to that, it is regretful that some members of the body have taken offense to the comments, and yet, I would stand by them. As everyone here knows, including those good legal minds, there is an absolute difference between a process which is proceeding towards a conclusion of carrying out a death sentence when all appeals are finally exhausted. There is a difference between that process by which the state stops all death sentences except those where you asked to have this sentence carried out. That is the distinction between the situation we would undergo if we adopt this amendment and the situation of this individual who carried out the bombing in Oklahoma against the Federal Building. That is the difference. The difference is that in the federal government there is no moratorium. There has been no suspension of the carrying out of death sentences by the federal government. It is a process that is proceeding, ultimately and finally, toward carrying out a death sentence against Timothy McVeigh. I hate to mention his name because we exalt him greater than he deserves every time we utter his name. That is the process that is underway in the federal government.

Were we to adopt this bill, which includes a moratorium on the death penalty, there would be no inevitability of the process of the carrying out the death sentence until after the moratorium is lifted. Therefore, the decision is the convict's, or the convict's alone, and the State has no part in it. This person who bombed the Federal Building in Oklahoma may say that he would like to stop his appeals and have the death sentence carried out. Ultimately, he will die under the compulsion of the sentence that he has been given, not by his own choice. Under this bill, we are simply saying that for this period of time we are not going to engage in carrying out any death sentences whether by compulsion or whether by choice.

I adhere to my original position that we would be participating in nothing more than assisting someone in bringing about the end of their life if we were to adopt this amendment. That is not capital punishment. That is not the capital punishment that is on the books in this State. It is certainly not the capital punishment that has any moral justification under the law as being the inevitable result of a process of judgment and conviction in carrying out a sentence.

Senators Amodei, Jacobsen and Washington requested a roll call vote on Senator Amodei’s motion.

Roll call on Senator Amodei’s motion.

Yeas—12.

Nays—Coffin, Jacobsen, James, Mathews, Neal, O'Donnell, Rawson, Rhoads,

Townsend—9.

The motion having received a majority, Madam President declared it passed.

Bill ordered reprinted, re-engrossed and to third reading.

Senate Bill No. 258.

Bill read third time.

The following amendment was proposed by Senator Rawson:

Amendment No. 281.

Amend section 1, page 2, line 6, by deleting “Shall” and inserting “May”.

Amend section 1, page 2, by deleting lines 23 through 26 and inserting:

“(b) [Shall,] May, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, designate a separate area which may be used for smoking.

A school district [which prohibits the use of tobacco by pupils need] shallnot designate an area which may be used by [the] pupils to smoke.”.

Senator Rawson moved the adoption of the amendment.

Remarks by Senators Rawson and McGinness.

Amendment adopted.

Bill ordered reprinted, re-engrossed and to third reading.

Senate Bill No. 271.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 271:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 271 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 283.

Bill read third time.

Remarks by Senator Porter.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 283:

Yeas—20.

Nays—None.

Not Voting—Coffin.

Senate Bill No. 283 having received a two-thirds majority, Madam President declared it passed.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 300.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 300:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 300 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 324.

Bill read third time.

Remarks by Senator Titus.

Senator Titus requested that her remarks be entered in the Journal.

I rise in support of this bill, which was brought to me by a group of advocates known as Blind Connect. So often, those of us who have the advantage and joy of sight take for granted just how much it means to be able to see. Perhaps, we should all close our eyes and try to do some of the seemingly simplest things such as get dressed, walk to your office, dial a phone, send an e-mail, find the restrooms.

This bill is designed to make life a little easier for people who are visually impaired by requiring public buildings and public accommodations to mark corridor entrances that lead to a restroom with a sign which conforms to ADA standards regarding symbols, raised letters and Braille.

According to testimony, many public buildings are not “blind friendly.” Restrooms often are at the end of a long hallway, and the required signage for blind persons is located on the bathroom door only. A sign at the entrance to the hallway or corridor would assist blind people in more easily finding restroom facilities. There will be no cost because the March of Dimes has agreed to pay for the signs, thanks to the efforts of the chair of Human Resources, Senator Rawson, and we thank him for that.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 324:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 324 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 328.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 328:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 328 having received a two-thirds majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 330.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 330:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 330 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 358.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 358:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 358 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 395.

Bill read third time.

Remarks by Senator McGinness.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 395:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 395 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 420.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 420:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 420 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 467.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 467:

Yeas—20.

Nays—Titus.

Senate Bill No. 467 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 500.

Bill read third time.

Senator Rawson disclosed that he is an employee of the university system.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 500:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 500 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 502.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 502:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 502 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 504.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 504:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 504 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 512.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 512:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 512 having received a two-thirds majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 547.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 547:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 547 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

Senate Bill No. 557.

Bill read third time.

Roll call on Senate Bill No. 557:

Yeas—21.

Nays—None.

Senate Bill No. 557 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.

Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.

MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES

Senator Raggio moved that Assembly Bill No. 369 be placed at the top of the Assembly Bills on General File.

Remarks by Senator Raggio.

Motion carried.

GENERAL FILE AND THIRD READING

Assembly Bill No. 369.

Bill read third time.

The following amendment was proposed by Senator Titus:

Amendment No. 355.

Amend sec. 19, page 8, line 14, after “energy.” by inserting: “The term does not include any costs that the commission determines are not recoverable pursuant to subsection 8 of NRS 704.110.”.

Amend sec. 21, page 10, line 41, by deleting “Whenever” and inserting: “Except as otherwise provided in subsection 8, whenever”.

Amend sec. 21, page 11, by deleting line 6 and inserting:

“8. Before allowing an electric utility to clear its deferred accounts pursuant to subsection 7, the commission shall determine whether the costs for purchased fuel and purchased power that the electric utility recorded in its deferred accounts are recoverable and whether the revenues that the electric utility collected from customers in this state for purchased fuel and purchased power are properly recorded and credited in its deferred accounts. The commission shall not allow the electric utility to recover any costs for purchased fuel and purchased power that:

(a) Were not necessary to provide electric service to customers in this state, including, without limitation, any costs required to purchase capacity or energy which was not used by the electric utility to provide electric service to customers in this state but which was resold by the electric utility at wholesale;

(b) Were the result of any practice or transaction that was undertaken, managed or performed imprudently by the electric utility; or

(c) Were part of, associated with or related to any transaction or interaction with a subsidiary or affiliate of the electric utility or an entity that holds a controlling interest in the electric utility and were not necessary to provide electric service to customers in this state.

The commission shall not credit any revenues to the deferred accounts of the electric utility which were not earned or generated from providing electric service to customers in this state or which were part of, associated with or related to any transaction or interaction with a subsidiary or affiliate of the electric utility or an entity that holds a controlling interest in the electric utility and were not earned or generated from providing electric service to customers in this state.

9. Whenever an electric utility files an application to clear its”.

Amend sec. 21, page 11, line 13, by deleting “9.” and inserting “10.”.

Amend sec. 21, page 11, line 19, by deleting “10.” and inserting “11.”.

Senator Titus moved the adoption of the amendment.

Remarks by Senator Titus.

Conflict of interest declared by Senator Raggio.

Amendment adopted.

Bill ordered reprinted, re-engrossed and to third reading.

MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES

Senator Raggio moved that Senate Bill No. 252; Assembly Bills Nos. 12, 14, 150, 151, 252, be taken from the General File and placed on the General File for the next legislative day.

Remarks by Senator Raggio.

Motion carried.

GUESTS EXTENDED PRIVILEGE OF SENATE FLOOR

On request of Senator Carlton, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Linda Fetters and Jack Fetters.

On request of Senator Jacobsen, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Pierre Cersier, Emmanuelle Garnier, Gerard Bover, Helene Dominguez and Acacio Marques.

On request of Senator Mathews, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Casey Lee Burner.

On request of Senator Porter, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Celia Hill.

Senator Raggio moved that the Senate adjourn until Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at 10:30 a.m.

Motion carried.

Senate adjourned at 3:40 p.m.

Approved: Lorraine T. Hunt

President of the Senate

Attest: Claire J. Clift

Secretary of the Senate