THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH DAY
Carson City (Monday), June 2, 2003
Senate called to order at 11:24 a.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Roll called.
All present.
Prayer by Senator Washington.
Father,
we thank You, and we praise You. We give You glory. We give You honor.
Here
we are at the last of the 72nd Session. There are still issues on the table,
and there are many things we still need to consider. After all is said and
done, after the gavel has sounded, I pray, dear God, that friendships will stay
intact, that relationships will not be severed. We pray that we will still be
able to speak to one another.
We
pray, O God, that after all the resolutions and all of the bills have passed
and been signed and that others have died, God, that people of this great State
will appreciate these men and women who have sacrificed their time, their
energy and their resources to serve them.
We
pray, dear God, that You would look upon the officials of this great State.
Bless them with wisdom and insight, and that You will help us to understand all
that we do and say means nothing if Your Name is not glorified.
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 Assembly Bill No. 490,
has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back
with the recommendation: Do pass.
Randolph J. Townsend, Chairman
Madam
President:
Your
Committee on Finance, to which was referred Assembly Bill No. 148, 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 Legislative Affairs and Operations, to which was referred Assembly
Concurrent Resolution No. 10, has had the same under consideration, and begs
leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Be adopted.
Maurice E. Washington, Chairman
MESSAGES FROM THE ASSEMBLY
Assembly
Chamber, Carson
City, June 1, 2003
To the
Honorable the Senate:
I
have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day
passed Assembly Bills Nos. 551, 552; Senate Bills Nos. 49, 51, 200, 233, 446,
498, 501, 502, 503.
Also,
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly amended, and
on this day passed, as amended, Senate Bill No. 216, Amendment No. 969; Senate
Bill No. 496, Amendment No. 976, and respectfully requests your honorable body
to concur in said amendments.
Also,
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day
concurred in the Senate Amendment No. 963 to Assembly Bill No. 533.
Also,
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day
appointed Assemblymen Giunchigliani, Pierce and Goicoechea as a first
Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 249.
Also,
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day
adopted the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bills
Nos. 250, 502, 518, 529; Senate Bills Nos. 46, 143, 147, 231, 319, 336, 359,
451.
Also,
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day
adopted the report of the second Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill
No. 218.
Diane
Keetch |
Assistant Chief Clerk of
the Assembly |
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES
By the Committee on Finance:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 41—Providing the items for consideration by the Superintendent of Public Instruction in compiling the biennial budgetary request for the State Distributive School Account.
Senator Raggio moved the adoption of the resolution.
Remarks by Senator Raggio.
Resolution adopted.
Resolution ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING
AND REFERENCE
By the Committee on Finance:
Senate Bill No. 507—AN ACT relating to projects of capital improvement; requiring the repayment for certain projects by certain state agencies; authorizing certain expenditures by the State Public Works Board; levying a property tax to support the consolidated bond interest and redemption fund; making appropriations; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Raggio moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 551.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 552.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Government Affairs.
Motion carried.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
Reports
of Conference Committees
Madam
President:
The
first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 502, consisting of the
undersigned members, has met and reports that:
It
has agreed to recommend that the amendment of the Senate be concurred in.
It
has agreed to recommend that the bill be further amended as set forth in
Conference Amendment No. 35, which is attached to and hereby made a part of
this report.
Conference Amendment.
Amend section 1, page 2, by deleting lines 26 through 29 and
inserting:
“2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, the coverage for
medical treatment required by this section is limited to:”.
Amend section 1, page 3, line 1, by deleting “The” and
inserting:
\
“Except as otherwise provided in
section 9 of Assembly Bill No. 320 of this session, the”.
Amend section 1, page 3, line 9, after “3.” by inserting: “Particular
medical treatment described in subsection 2 and provided to a policyholder or
subscriber is not required to be covered pursuant to this section if that particular
medical treatment is provided by the sponsor of the clinical trial or study
free of charge to the policyholder or subscriber.
4.”.
Amend section 1, page 3, line 34, by deleting “4.” and
inserting “5.”.
Amend
section 1, page 3, line 41, by deleting “5.” and inserting “6.”.
Amend
section 1, page 4, line 4, by deleting “6.” and inserting “7.”.
Amend
section 1, page 4, line 9, by deleting “7.” and inserting “8.”.
Amend
section 1, page 4, line 22, by deleting “8.” and inserting “9.”.
Amend sec. 4, page 6, by deleting lines 16 through 19 and
inserting:
“2. Except as otherwise
provided in subsection 3, the coverage for medical treatment required by this
section is limited to:”.
Amend sec. 4, page 6, line 34, by deleting “The” and inserting: “Except
as otherwise provided in section 13 of Assembly Bill No. 320 of this session,
the”.
Amend sec. 4, page 6, line 42, after “3.” by inserting: “Particular
medical treatment described in subsection 2 and provided to a person insured
under the group policy is not required to be covered pursuant to this section
if that particular medical treatment is provided by the sponsor of the clinical
trial or study free of charge to the person insured under the group policy.
4.”.
Amend sec. 4, page 7, line 24, by deleting “4.” and
inserting “5.”.
Amend
sec. 4, page 7, line 31, by deleting “5.” and inserting “6.”.
Amend
sec. 4, page 7, line 39, by deleting “6.” and inserting “7.”.
Amend
sec. 4, page 8, line 1, by deleting “7.” and inserting “8.”.
Amend
sec. 4, page 8, line 15, by deleting “8.” and inserting “9.”.
Amend sec. 6, page 10, by deleting lines 4 through 7 and
inserting:
“2. Except as otherwise
provided in subsection 3, the coverage for medical treatment required by this
section is limited to:”.
Amend sec. 6, page 10, line 22, by deleting “The” and
inserting: “Except as otherwise provided in section 24 of Assembly Bill
No. 320 of this session, the”.
Amend sec. 6, page 10, line 31, after “3.” by inserting: “Particular
medical treatment described in subsection 2 and provided to a person insured
under the policy is not required to be covered pursuant to this section if that
particular medical treatment is provided by the sponsor of the clinical trial
or study free of charge to the person insured under the policy.
4.”.
Amend sec. 6, page 11, line 11, by deleting “4.” and
inserting “5.”.
Amend
sec. 6, page 11, line 18, by deleting “5.” and inserting “6.”.
Amend
sec. 6, page 11, line 27, by deleting “6.” and inserting “7.”.
Amend
sec. 6, page 11, line 32, by deleting “7.” and inserting “8.”.
Amend
sec. 6, page 12, line 1, by deleting “8.” and inserting “9.”.
Amend sec. 8, page 13, by deleting lines 32 through 35 and
inserting:
“2. Except as otherwise
provided in subsection 3, the coverage for medical treatment required by this
section is limited to:”.
Amend sec. 8, page 14, line 5, by deleting “The” and inserting: “Except
as otherwise provided in section 27 of Assembly Bill No. 320 of this session,
the”.
Amend sec. 8, page 14, line 15, after “3.” by inserting: “Particular
medical treatment described in subsection 2 and provided to an enrollee is not
required to be covered pursuant to this section if that particular medical
treatment is provided by the sponsor of the clinical trial or study free of
charge to the enrollee.
4.”.
Amend sec. 8, page 14, line 40, by deleting “4.” and
inserting “5.”.
Amend
sec. 8, page 15, line 3, by deleting “5.” and inserting “6.”.
Amend
sec. 8, page 15, line 11, by deleting “6.” and inserting “7.”.
Amend
sec. 8, page 15, line 16, by deleting “7.” and inserting “8.”.
Amend
sec. 8, page 15, line 30, by deleting “8.” and inserting “9.”.
Amend sec. 12, page 19, by deleting lines 16 through 19 and inserting:
“2. Except as otherwise
provided in subsection 3, the coverage for medical treatment required by this
section is limited to:”.
Amend sec. 12, page 19, line 34, by deleting “The” and
inserting: “Except as otherwise provided in section 33 of Assembly Bill
No. 320 of this session, the”.
Amend sec. 12, page 19, line 43, after “3.” by inserting: “Particular
medical treatment described in subsection 2 and provided to a person insured
under the plan is not required to be covered pursuant to this section if that
particular medical treatment is provided by the sponsor of the clinical trial
or study free of charge to the person insured under the plan.
4.”.
Amend sec. 12, page 20, line 24, by deleting “4.” and
inserting “5.”.
Amend
sec. 12, page 20, line 31, by deleting “5.” and inserting “6.”.
Amend
sec. 12, page 20, line 39, by deleting “6.” and inserting “7.”.
Amend
sec. 12, page 21, line 1, by deleting “7.” and inserting “8.”.
Amend
sec. 12, page 21, line 15, by deleting “8.” and inserting “9.”.
Raymond C. Shaffer |
David Goldwater |
Randolph J. Townsend |
Peggy Pierce |
Maggie Carlton |
Dawn Gibbons |
Senate Conference Committee |
Assembly Conference
Committee |
Senator Carlton moved that the Senate adopt the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 502.
Remarks by Senator Carlton.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
Madam
President:
The
first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 518, consisting of the
undersigned members, has met and reports that:
It has
agreed to recommend that the amendment of the Senate be concurred in.
It
has agreed to recommend that the bill be further amended as set forth in
Conference Amendment No. 30, which is attached to and hereby made a part of
this report.
Conference
Amendment.
Amend the bill as a whole by renumbering sections 1 through 5 as
sections 9 through 13 and adding new sections designated sections 1 through 8,
following the enacting clause, to read as follows:
“Section 1. Chapter
706 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto the provisions set forth as
sections 2 and 3 of this act.
Sec. 2. 1. An
operator of a limousine shall, beginning on July 1, 2003, and on July 1 of each
year thereafter, pay to the Authority a fee of $100 for each limousine that the
Authority has authorized the operator to operate.
2. As used in this section, “limousine”
includes:
(a) A livery limousine; and
(b) A traditional
limousine.
Sec. 3. 1. It
is unlawful for any person to advertise services for which a certificate of
public convenience and necessity or a contract carrier’s permit is required
pursuant to NRS 706.011 to 706.791, inclusive, and sections 2 and 3 of
this act, unless the person has been issued such a certificate or permit.
2. If,
after notice and a hearing, the Authority determines that a person has engaged
in advertising in a manner that violates the provisions of this section, the
Authority may, in addition to any penalty, punishment or disciplinary action
authorized by the provisions of NRS 706.011 to 706.791, inclusive, and
sections 2 and 3 of this act, issue an order to the person to cease and desist
the unlawful advertising and to:
(a) Cause any telephone number included in
the advertising, other than a telephone number to a provider of paging
services, to be disconnected.
(b) Request the provider of paging services
to change the number of any beeper which is included in the advertising or
disconnect the paging services to such a beeper, and to inform the provider of
paging services that the request is made pursuant to this section.
3. If
a person fails to comply with paragraph (a) of subsection 2 within 5 days after
the date that he receives an order pursuant to subsection 2, the Authority may
request the Commission to order the appropriate provider of telephone service
to disconnect any telephone number included in the advertisement, except for a
telephone number to a provider of paging services. If a person fails to comply
with paragraph (b) of subsection 2 within 5 days after the date he receives an
order pursuant to subsection 2, the Authority may request the provider of
paging services to switch the beeper number or disconnect the paging services
provided to the person, whichever the provider deems appropriate.
4. If
the provider of paging services receives a request from a person pursuant to
subsection 2 or a request from the Authority pursuant to subsection 3, it
shall:
(a) Disconnect the paging service to the
person; or
(b) Switch the beeper number of the paging
service provided to the person.
If the provider
of paging services elects to switch the number pursuant to paragraph (b), the
provider shall not forward or offer to forward the paging calls from the
previous number, or provide or offer to provide a recorded message that
includes the new beeper number.
5. As
used in this section:
(a) “Advertising” includes, but is not
limited to, the issuance of any sign, card or device, or the permitting or
allowing of any sign or marking on a motor vehicle, in any building, structure,
newspaper, magazine or airway transmission, on the Internet or in any directory
under the listing of “fully regulated carrier” with or without any limiting
qualifications.
(b) “Beeper” means a portable electronic
device which is used to page the person carrying it by emitting an audible or a
vibrating signal when the device receives a special radio signal.
(c) “Provider of paging services” means an
entity, other than a public utility, that provides paging service to a beeper.
(d) “Provider of telephone
service” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 707.355.
Sec. 4. NRS 706.011 is hereby amended to read as follows:
706.011 As used in NRS
706.011 to 706.791, inclusive, and
sections 2 and 3 of this act, unless the context otherwise requires, the
words and terms defined in NRS 706.013 to 706.146, inclusive, have the meanings
ascribed to them in those sections.
Sec. 5. NRS 706.391 is hereby amended to read as follows:
706.391 1. Upon the filing of an application for a
certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate as a common motor carrier , other than an operator of a tow car, or an application for modification of such a
certificate, the Authority shall fix a time and place for a hearing [thereon.] on the application.
2. The Authority shall [issue
such a] grant the certificate or modification if it finds that:
(a) The applicant is financially
and operationally fit, willing and able to perform the services of a common
motor carrier [;] and that the
operation of, and the provision of such services by, the applicant as a common
motor carrier will foster sound economic conditions within the applicable
industry;
(b) The proposed operation or
the proposed modification will be consistent with the legislative policies
set forth in NRS 706.151;
(c) The granting of the certificate or modification will not unreasonably and adversely affect other
carriers operating in the territory for which the certificate or modification is sought; [and]
(d) The proposed [service] operation or the proposed modification will benefit and protect the safety and convenience of the
traveling and shipping public and the motor carrier business in this state [.]
;
(e) The proposed operation,
or service under the proposed modification, will be provided on a continuous
basis;
(f) The market identified
by the applicant as the market which the applicant intends to serve will
support the proposed operation or proposed modification; and
(g) The applicant has paid
all fees and costs related to the application.
3. The Authority shall
not find that the potential creation of competition in a territory which may be
caused by the granting of [a certificate,] the certificate or modification, by itself, will unreasonably and
adversely affect other carriers operating in the territory for the purposes of
paragraph (c) of subsection 2.
4. [An] In determining whether the applicant is fit
to perform the services of a common motor carrier pursuant to paragraph (a) of
subsection 2, the Authority shall consider whether the applicant has violated
any provision of this chapter or any regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
5. The applicant for [such a certificate
has] the certificate or modification:
(a) Has the burden of
proving to the Authority that the proposed operation will meet the requirements
of subsection 2 [.
5.] ; and
(b) Must pay the amounts
billed to the applicant by the Authority for the costs incurred by the
Authority in conducting any investigation regarding the applicant and the
application.
6. The Authority may issue or modify a certificate of public
convenience and necessity to operate as a common motor carrier, or issue or modify it for:
(a) The exercise of the privilege sought.
(b) The partial exercise of the privilege sought.
[6.] 7. The Authority may attach to the certificate
such terms and conditions as, in its judgment, the public interest may require.
[7.] 8. The Authority may dispense with the hearing
on the application if, upon the expiration of the time fixed in the notice
thereof, no petition to intervene has been filed on behalf of any person who
has filed a protest against the granting of the certificate [.] or modification.
Sec. 6. NRS 706.756 is hereby amended to read as follows:
706.756 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2,
any person who:
(a) Operates a vehicle or causes it to be operated in any
carriage to which the provisions of NRS 706.011 to 706.861, inclusive, and sections 2 and 3 of this act, apply
without first obtaining a certificate, permit or license, or in violation of
the terms thereof;
(b) Fails to make any return or report required by the provisions
of NRS 706.011 to 706.861, inclusive, and
sections 2 and 3 of this act, or by the Authority or the Department
pursuant to the provisions of NRS 706.011 to 706.861, inclusive [;] , and sections 2 and 3 of this act;
(c) Violates, or procures, aids or abets the violating of, any
provision of NRS 706.011 to 706.861, inclusive [;] , and sections 2 and 3 of this act;
(d) Fails to obey any order, decision or regulation of the
Authority or the Department;
(e) Procures, aids or abets any person in his failure to obey
such an order, decision or regulation of the Authority or the Department;
(f) Advertises, solicits, proffers bids or otherwise holds
himself out to perform transportation as a common or contract carrier in
violation of any of the provisions of NRS 706.011 to 706.861, inclusive [;]
, and sections 2 and 3 of this act;
(g) Advertises as providing:
(1) The services of a fully regulated carrier; or
(2) Towing services,
without including the number
of his certificate of public convenience and necessity or contract carrier’s
permit in each advertisement;
(h) Knowingly offers, gives, solicits or accepts any rebate,
concession or discrimination in violation of the provisions of this chapter;
(i) Knowingly, willfully and fraudulently seeks to evade or
defeat the purposes of this chapter;
(j) Operates or causes to be operated a vehicle which does not
have the proper identifying device;
(k) Displays or causes or permits to be displayed a certificate,
permit, license or identifying device, knowing it to be fictitious or to have
been cancelled, revoked, suspended or altered;
(l) Lends or knowingly permits the use of by one not entitled
thereto any certificate, permit, license or identifying device issued to the
person so lending or permitting the use thereof; or
(m) Refuses or fails to surrender to the Authority or Department
any certificate, permit, license or identifying device which has been
suspended, cancelled or revoked pursuant to the provisions of this chapter,
is guilty of a misdemeanor,
and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 nor
more than $1,000, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than
6 months, or by both fine and imprisonment.
2. [A person convicted
of a misdemeanor for a] Any person
who, in violation of the provisions of NRS 706.386 , operates as a fully regulated common motor carrier without first
obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity or any person who, in violation of the
provisions of 706.421 , operates as a
contract motor carrier without first obtaining a permit is guilty of a
misdemeanor and shall be punished:
(a) For [the] a first
offense [,] within a period of 12
consecutive months, by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 . [;] In addition to the fine, the person may be punished by imprisonment in
the county jail for not more than 6 months.
(b) For a second offense within a period of 12 consecutive months and for each subsequent offense [,] that is committed within a period of 12 consecutive months of any prior
offense under this subsection, by a fine of $1,000 . [; or
(c) For any offense,] In
addition to the fine, the person may be punished by imprisonment in the
county jail for not more than 6 months .
[, or by both the prescribed fine and imprisonment.]
3. Any person who , in violation of the provisions of NRS
706.386, operates or permits the operation of a vehicle in passenger
service without first obtaining a
certificate of public convenience and necessity [issued pursuant to NRS
706.391] is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
4. If a law enforcement officer witnesses a
violation of [this subsection, he] any
provision of subsection 2 or 3, the law enforcement officer may cause the
vehicle to be towed immediately from the scene [.
4.] and impounded in
accordance with NRS 706.476.
5. The fines provided in this section are
mandatory and must not be reduced under any circumstances by the court.
[5.] 6. Any bail allowed must not be less than the
appropriate fine provided for by this section.
Sec. 7. NRS 417.145 is hereby amended to read as follows:
417.145 1. The Veterans’ Home Account is hereby
established in the State General Fund.
2. Money received by the
Executive Director or the Deputy Executive Director from:
(a) Payments by the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans
who receive care in a veterans’ home;
(b) Other payments for medical care and services;
(c) Appropriations made by the Legislature for veterans’ homes;
and
(d) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 7, gifts of money
and proceeds derived from the sale of gifts of personal property he is
authorized to accept for the use of veterans’ homes, if the use of such gifts
has not been restricted by the donor,
must be deposited with the
State Treasurer for credit to the Veterans’ Home Account.
3. Interest and income
must not be computed on the money in the Veterans’ Home Account.
4. The Veterans’ Home
Account must be administered by the Executive Director, with the advice of the
Deputy Executive Director and the Nevada Veterans’ Services Commission, and the
money deposited in the Veterans’ Home Account may only be expended for:
(a) The operation of veterans’ homes;
(b) A program or service related to a veterans’ home;
(c) The solicitation of other sources of money to fund a
veterans’ home; and
(d) The purpose of informing the public about issues concerning
the establishment and uses of a veterans’ home.
5. Except as otherwise
provided in subsection 7, gifts of personal property which the Executive
Director or the Deputy Executive Director is authorized to receive for the use
of veterans’ homes:
(a) May be sold or exchanged if the sale or exchange is approved
by the State Board of Examiners; or
(b) May be used in kind if the gifts are not appropriate for
conversion to money.
6. All money in the
Veterans’ Home Account must be paid out on claims approved by the Executive
Director as other claims against the State are paid.
7. The Gift Account for
Veterans’ Homes is hereby established in the State General Fund. The Executive
Director or the Deputy Executive Director shall use gifts of money or personal
property that he is authorized to accept and which the donor has restricted to
one or more uses at a veterans’ home, only in the manner designated by the
donor. Gifts of money that the Executive Director or Deputy Executive Director
is authorized to accept and which the donor has restricted to one or more uses
at a veterans’ home must be deposited with the State Treasurer for credit to
the Gift Account for Veterans’ Homes. The interest and income earned on the
money in the Gift Account for Veterans’ Homes, after deducting any applicable
charges, must be credited to the Gift Account for Veterans’ Homes. Any money
remaining in the Gift Account for Veterans’ Homes at the end of each fiscal
year does not lapse to the State General Fund, but must be carried forward into
the next fiscal year.
8. The Executive Director shall, on or before
August 1 of each year, prepare and submit to the Interim Finance Committee a
report detailing the expenditures made from the Gift Account for Veterans’
Homes that are attributable to the money deposited in that account pursuant to
subsection 2 of NRS 482.3764.
Sec. 8. NRS 482.3764 is hereby amended to read as follows:
482.3764 1. Before the Department issues to any person,
pursuant to NRS 482.3763:
(a) An initial set of special license plates, it shall:
(1) Collect a special fee for a veterans’ home in the amount
of $25; and
(2) Affix a decal to each plate if requested by an applicant
who meets the requirements set forth in NRS 482.37635.
(b) An annual renewal sticker, it shall:
(1) Collect a special fee for a veterans’ home in the amount
of $20; and
(2) Affix a decal to each plate if requested by an applicant
who meets the requirements set forth in NRS 482.37635.
2. The Department shall
deposit [any money] the first
$100,000 collected pursuant to this section each year with the State Treasurer for credit to the [Veterans’
Home Account.] Gift Account for
Veteran’s Homes, established by subsection 7 of NRS 417.145. Thereafter, any
additional amount collected pursuant to this section during the year must be
deposited in the State General Fund.”.
Amend section 1, page 2, by deleting lines 12 through 15 and
inserting:
“(a) Shall first publicly notice and then process, in the order
in which it was received, each application for any new or modified certificate
of public convenience and necessity that is received by the Authority before
June 1, 2003.”.
Amend sec. 3, page 3, line 37, by deleting “2” and inserting
“10”.
Amend sec. 3, page 4, line 11, by deleting “1” and inserting “9”.
Amend sec. 3, page 4, line 13, by deleting “1” and inserting “9”.
Amend sec. 5, page 4, by deleting line 22 and inserting:
“Sec. 13. 1. This
section, sections 1 to 6, inclusive, and 9 to 12, inclusive, of this act become
effective upon passage and approval.
2. Sections 7 and 8 of
this act become effective on July 1, 2005.”.
Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:
“AN ACT relating to transportation; imposing certain fees for the
operation of livery and traditional limousines; prohibiting certain motor
carriers from engaging in certain types of misleading advertising; providing
for the impoundment of certain vehicles under certain circumstances; making
various changes regarding the filing of certain applications; making various
changes regarding the disposition of money paid for the special license plate
for veterans; temporarily prohibiting the Transportation Services Authority
from accepting certain applications relating to certificates of public
convenience and necessity for the operation of limousines; temporarily
prohibiting fully regulated carriers from increasing the number of limousines
which they operate; directing the Legislative Commission to conduct a study of
issues relating to the allocation of limousines; authorizing the Transportation
Services Authority under certain circumstances to adopt regulations providing
for a system of allocations for limousines; providing penalties; and providing
other matters properly relating thereto.”.
Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:
“SUMMARY—Makes various changes relating to regulation of certain
motor carriers, motor vehicles and limousines. (BDR S‑1102)”.
Terry Care |
Vonne Chowning |
Mark E. Amodei |
John C. Carpenter |
Dennis Nolan |
Jerry D. Claborn |
Senate Conference Committee |
Assembly Conference
Committee |
Senator Care moved that the Senate adopt the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 518.
Remarks by Senator Care.
Conflict of interest declared by Senator Raggio.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
Madam
President:
The
first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 529, consisting of the
undersigned members, has met and reports that:
It
has agreed to recommend that the amendment of the Senate be concurred in.
It
has agreed to recommend that the bill be further amended as set forth in
Conference Amendment No. 34, which is attached to and hereby made a part of
this report.
Conference
Amendment.
Amend section 1, page 2, by deleting lines 7 through 37 and inserting:
“294A.220, 294A.270, 294A.280, 294A.360
and 294A.362.
2. The form designed by the Secretary of State
pursuant to this section must only request information specifically required by
statute.
3. Upon request, the Secretary of State shall
provide a copy of the form designed pursuant to this section to each person,
committee, political party and group that is required to file a report
described in subsection 1.”.
Amend sec. 19, page 32, by deleting line 25 and inserting: “entitled to receive annual compensation of
$6,000 or more for serving in that office, he shall”.
Amend sec. 23, page 35, by deleting lines 6 through 10 and
inserting:
“3, if a] Each candidate for public office [or
a public officer is] who will be entitled
to receive annual compensation of $6,000 or more for serving in the
office [in question,] that he is seeking and each public officer who was
elected to the office for which he is serving shall file with the [Commission
and with”.
Amend sec. 26, page 36, by deleting lines 32 and 33 and
inserting: “that a candidate for
public office or public officer [who] willfully fails to file his statement of financial disclosure or
willfully fails to file his statement of financial disclosure in a timely
manner”.
Amend sec. 26, page 36, line 39, after “who” and inserting: “willfully
fails to file his statement of financial disclosure or willfully”.
Amend sec. 26, page 36, lines 41 and 42, by deleting: “of not more than $5,000 for each violation”.
Amend sec. 26, page 37, by deleting lines 6 through 14 and
inserting:
“(a) If the statement is filed not more than [7 days late, $25
for each day the statement is late.] 10
days after the applicable deadline set forth in subsection 1 of NRS 281.561 or
subsection 1 of section 19 of this act, $25.
(b) If the statement is filed more than [7 days late] 10 days but not more than [15 days
late, $175 for the first 7 days, plus $50 for each additional day the statement
is late.] 20 days after the
applicable deadline set forth in subsection 1 of NRS 281.561 or subsection 1 of
section 19 of this act, $50.
(c) If the statement is filed more than [15 days late, $575
for the first 15 days, plus $100 for each additional day the statement is late.
2. The Commission may, for] 20 days but
not more than 30 days after the applicable deadline set forth in subsection 1
of NRS 281.561 or subsection 1 of section 19 of this act, $100.
(d) If the statement is
filed more than 30 days but not more than 45 days after the applicable deadline
set forth in subsection 1 of NRS 281.561 or subsection 1 of section 19 of this
act, $250.
(e) If the statement is not filed or is filed more than 45 days after
the applicable deadline set forth in subsection 1 of NRS 281.561 or subsection
1 of section 19 of this act, $2,000.”.
Amend sec. 26, page 37, between lines 33 and 34, by inserting:
“5. As used in this section, “willfully” means
deliberately, intentionally and knowingly.”.
Amend the bill as a whole by adding a new section designated sec.
27.5, following sec. 27, to read as follows:
“Sec. 27.5. The Secretary of State must obtain the
advice and consent of the Legislative Commission before providing a form
designed or revised by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 1 of this act
to a person, committee, political party or group that is required to use the
form.”.
Amend the title of the bill by deleting the first line and
inserting:
“AN ACT relating to elections; restricting the information that
may be requested in the”.
Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:
“SUMMARY¾ Makes various changes
concerning reporting of campaign contributions and expenditures and certain
other financial information. (BDR 24‑558)”.
Sandra Tiffany |
Marcus Conklin |
|
Bob Beers |
William J. Raggio |
Peggy Pierce |
Senate Conference Committee |
Assembly Conference
Committee |
Senator Tiffany moved that the Senate adopt the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 529.
Remarks by Senator Tiffany.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
Madam
President:
The
second Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 218, consisting of the
undersigned members, has met and reports that:
It
has agreed to recommend that the amendment of the Senate be concurred in.
It
has agreed to recommend that the bill be further amended as set forth in
Conference Amendment No. 36, which is attached to and hereby made a part of
this report.
Conference
Amendment.
Amend section 1, page 1, by deleting line 7 and inserting:
“teachers and other educational personnel and support personnel who are
employed at the school, and the parents
and guardians of pupils who are
enrolled in the school.”.
Amend section 1, page 2, line 1, after “2.” by inserting: “On or
before October 1 of each year, the principal of each public school shall:
(a) Review the plan in
consultation with the teachers and other educational personnel and support
personnel who are employed at the school;
(b) Based upon the review,
make revisions to the plan, as recommended by the teachers and other
educational personnel and support personnel, if necessary; and
(c) Post a copy of the plan
or the revised plan, as applicable, in a prominent place at the school for public
inspection and otherwise make the plan available for public inspection at the
administrative office of the school.
3.”.
Amend section 1, page 2, line 12, by deleting “3.” and inserting “4.”.
Amend section 1, page 2, line 15, by deleting “2” and inserting “3”.
Amend section 1, page 2, line 18, by deleting “4.” and inserting “5.”.
Amend the title of the bill, first line, after “education;” by
inserting: “revising provisions governing the plan required of each public
school for the progressive discipline of pupils and on‑site review of
disciplinary decisions;”.
Barbara Cegavske |
Vonne Chowning |
Ann O'Connell |
Bob McCleary |
Terry Care |
Garn Mabey |
Senate Conference Committee |
Assembly Conference
Committee |
Senator Cegavske moved that the Senate adopt the report of the second Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 218.
Remarks by Senators Cegavske and Carlton.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
REPORTS
OF COMMITTEES
Madam
President:
Your
Committee on Finance, to which were referred Senate Bill No. 507; Assembly Bill
No. 551, has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report
the same back with the recommendation: Do pass.
William J. Raggio, Chairman
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES
Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 10.
Senator McGinness moved the adoption of the resolution.
Remarks by Senator Washington.
Resolution adopted.
Resolution ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
SECOND READING AND AMENDMENT
Assembly Bill No. 148.
Bill read second time.
The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Finance:
Amendment No. 989.
Amend section 1, page 2, line 12, by deleting “The” and inserting: “Policies and procedures for the”.
Senator Raggio moved the adoption of the amendment.
Remarks by Senator Raggio.
Amendment adopted.
Bill ordered reprinted, engrossed and to third reading.
GENERAL FILE AND THIRD READING
Senate Bill No. 507.
Bill read third time.
Remarks by Senators Raggio and Schneider.
Senator Schneider requested that his remarks be entered in the Journal.
Thank you, Madam President. I stand to speak on page
5, which addresses capital improvements for the psychiatric hospital. It is not
a question for the chairman, but I wanted to make this statement for the record
that this is an extremely important piece of this whole package. Many times the
taxpayers are thinking that we are wasting money, but this hospital will save
the taxpayers millions of dollars over the next few years because it will take
a burden off the police departments and other hospitals in Las Vegas as they
care for the mental health patients. This is a good addition to this, and I
will support this package.
Roll call on Senate Bill No. 507:
Yeas—19.
Nays—Cegavske, O'Connell—2.
Senate Bill No. 507 having received a two-thirds majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
Assembly Bill No. 490.
Bill read third time.
Remarks by Senators Townsend, Neal, Care and Coffin.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 490:
Yeas—12.
Nays—Amodei, Care, Cegavske, Coffin, Nolan, Schneider,
Tiffany, Washington—8.
Not Voting—Raggio.
Assembly Bill No. 490 having failed to receive a two-thirds majority, Madam President declared it lost.
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES
Senator Amodei moved that the action whereby Assembly Bill No. 490 was lost be rescinded.
Remarks by Senator Amodei.
Motion carried.
Senator Amodei moved that Assembly Bill No. 490 be taken from the General File and placed on the General File on the last agenda.
Motion carried.
GENERAL FILE AND THIRD READING
Assembly Bill No. 551.
Bill read third time.
Remarks by Senators Neal and Raggio.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 551:
Yeas—21.
Nays—None.
Assembly Bill No. 551 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
Reports
of Conference Committees
Madam
President:
The
first Conference Committee concerning Senate Bill No. 137, consisting of the
undersigned members, has met and reports that:
It
has agreed to recommend that the amendment of the Assembly be concurred in.
It
has agreed to recommend that the bill be further amended as set forth in
Conference Amendment No. 40, which is attached to and hereby made a part of
this report.
Conference
Amendment.
Amend the bill as a whole by adding a new section designated sec. 7.5,
following sec. 7, to read as follows:
“Sec. 7.5. 1. There is hereby established an advisory
committee to the Committee consisting of:
(a) The Superintendent of Public
Instruction;
(b) The Administrator of
the Aging Services Division of the Department of Human Resources;
(c) The Chief of the Bureau
of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Rehabilitation Division of the Department
of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation;
(d) The Chief of the Bureau
of Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired of the Rehabilitation Division
of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation; and
(e) Any persons appointed
by the Chairman of the Committee pursuant to subsection 2.
2. The Chairman of the Committee shall appoint
representatives from local advocacy and provider groups to serve on the
advisory committee, as the Chairman deems necessary.
3. Each member of the advisory committee
described in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of subsection 1 may designate a
representative to serve in his place on the advisory committee or to replace
him at a meeting of the Committee or the advisory committee.
4. Each member of the advisory committee who is
not an officer or employee of the State serves without compensation and is not
entitled to receive a per diem allowance or travel expenses.
5. Each member of the advisory committee who is
an officer or employee of the State must be relieved from his duties without
loss of his regular compensation so that he may attend meetings of the
Committee or the advisory committee and is entitled to receive the per diem
allowance and travel expenses provided for state officers and employees
generally, which must be paid by the state agency that employs him.”.
Amend the bill as a whole by renumbering sec. 10 as sec. 11 and
adding a new section designated sec. 10, following sec. 9, to read as follows:
“Sec. 10. 1.
The Legislative Committee on Persons With Disabilities shall conduct a
study for the purpose of establishing an Interagency Transition Plan concerning
the transition from school to work for pupils with disabilities and to study
ways to more fully implement the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42
U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq., in Nevada and to study the facilitation of the use of
service animals in this state.
2. The study must,
without limitation:
(a) Include a review of programs available for pupils with
disabilities in the secondary school environment, including a review of the
outcomes for such pupils after exiting school, as a means of determining costs
and potential savings for such programs;
(b) Identify gaps in services that may exist for pupils with
disabilities who are transitioning out of school into the workforce and develop
strategies for narrowing these gaps, including postsecondary education,
vocational training, integrated employment, continuing and adult education,
adult services, independent living and community participation; and
(c) Determine ways of better implementing the provisions of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et seq., and the
Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq., for
the benefit of the residents of the State of Nevada, including appropriate
access for persons with disabilities and facilitating the use of service
animals.
3. The Legislative Committee on Persons
With Disabilities shall establish an Interagency Transition Plan for the
purpose of facilitating the transition from school to work for pupils with
disabilities.
4. The Legislative
Committee on Persons With Disabilities shall submit a copy of the Interagency
Transition Plan established pursuant to subsection 3 and a report of the
results of the study conducted pursuant to subsection 1 and any recommendations
for legislation to the 73rd Session of the Nevada Legislature.”.
Barbara Cegavske |
Marcus Conklin |
Dina Titus |
Chris Giunchigliani |
Raymond D. Rawson |
Valerie Weber |
Senate Conference Committee |
Assembly Conference Committee |
Senator Cegavske moved that the Senate adopt the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Senate Bill No. 137.
Remarks by Senator Cegavske.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
GENERAL FILE AND THIRD READING
Assembly Bill No. 148.
Bill read third time.
Remarks by Senators Neal and Raggio.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 148:
Yeas—21.
Nays—None.
Assembly Bill No. 148 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 subject to the call of the Chair.
Motion carried.
Senate in recess at 12:22 p.m.
SENATE IN SESSION
At 12:38 p.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Quorum present.
MESSAGES FROM THE ASSEMBLY
Assembly
Chamber, Carson
City, June 2, 2003
To the
Honorable the Senate:
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day passed Senate Bills Nos. 243, 504.
Also,
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day
passed, as amended, Assembly Bill No. 460.
Also, I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly amended, and on this day passed, as amended, Senate Bill No. 258, Amendment No. 970, and respectfully requests your honorable body to concur in said amendment.
Also, I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 32.
Diane
Keetch |
Assistant Chief Clerk of
the Assembly |
INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING AND REFERENCE
Assembly Bill No. 460.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Consideration
of Assembly Amendments
Senate Bill No. 496.
The following Assembly amendment was read:
Amendment No. 976.
Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sections 1 through 4 and adding new sections designated sections 1 through 7 and the text of repealed sections, following the enacting clause, to read as follows:
“Section 1. NRS 231.141 is hereby amended to read as follows:
231.141
As used in NRS 231.141 to 231.152, inclusive, unless the context
otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 231.142 [to 231.146,
inclusive,] , 231.143 and 231.146 have
the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.
Sec. 2. NRS 231.147 is hereby amended to read as follows:
231.147 1. A person who operates a business or will operate a business in this state may apply to the Commission for approval of a program. The application must be submitted on a form prescribed by the Commission.
2. Each application must include:
(a) The name, address and telephone number of the business;
(b) The number and types of jobs for the business that are available or will be available upon completion of the program;
(c) A statement of the objectives of the proposed program;
(d) The estimated cost for each person enrolled in the program; and
(e) A statement signed by the applicant
certifying that, if the program set forth in the application is approved and
money is granted by the [Director] Commission
to a community college for the program, each employee who completes the
program:
(1) Will be employed in a full-time and permanent position in the business; and
(2) While employed in that position, will be paid not less than 80 percent of the lesser of the average industrial hourly wage in:
(I) This state; or
(II) The county in which the business is located, as determined by the Employment Security Division of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation on July 1 of each fiscal year.
3. Upon request, the Commission may assist an applicant in completing an application pursuant to the provisions of this section.
4. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, the Commission shall approve or deny each application at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission. When considering an application, the Commission shall give priority to a business that:
(a) Provides high-skill and high-wage jobs to residents of this state; and
(b) To the greatest extent practicable, uses materials for the business that are produced or bought in this state.
5. Before approving an application, the Commission shall establish the amount of matching money that the applicant must provide for the program. The amount established by the Commission for that applicant must not be less than 25 percent of the amount the Commission approves for the program.
6. If the Commission approves an application, it shall notify the applicant, in writing, within 10 days after the application is approved.
7. If the Commission denies an application, it shall, within 10 days after the application is denied, notify the applicant in writing. The notice must include the reason for denying the application.
Sec. 3. NRS 231.149 is hereby amended to read as follows:
231.149
1. The [Director] Commission may apply for or accept any
gifts, grants, donations or contributions from any source to carry out the
provisions of NRS 231.141 to 231.152, inclusive.
2.
Any money the [Director] Commission
receives pursuant to subsection 1 must be deposited in the State
Treasury pursuant to NRS 231.151.
Sec. 4. NRS 231.151 is hereby amended to read as follows:
231.151
1. Any money the [Director]
Commission receives pursuant to NRS
231.149 or that is appropriated to carry out the provisions of NRS 231.141
to 231.152, inclusive:
(a) Must be deposited in the State Treasury
and accounted for separately in the State General Fund; and
(b) May only be used to carry out those
provisions . [; and
(c) Does not revert to the State General
Fund at the end of any fiscal year.]
2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection
3, the balance remaining in the account that has not been committed for
expenditure on or before June 30 of a fiscal year reverts to the State General
Fund.
3. In calculating the uncommitted remaining
balance in the account at the end of a fiscal year, any money in the account
that is attributable to a gift, grant, donation or contribution:
(a) To the extent not
inconsistent with a term of the gift, grant, donation or contribution, shall be
deemed to have been committed for expenditure before any money that is
attributable to a legislative appropriation; and
(b) Must be excluded from
the calculation of the uncommitted remaining balance in the account at the end
of the fiscal year if necessary to comply with a term of the gift, grant,
donation or contribution.
4. The [Director] Commission shall administer the account.
Any interest or income earned on the money in the account must be credited to the
account. Any claims against the account must be paid as other claims against
the State are paid.
Sec. 5. NRS 231.152 is hereby amended to read as follows:
231.152
[1. Except as otherwise
provided in subsection 2, the Director may adopt such regulations as are
necessary to carry out the provisions of NRS 231.141 to 231.152, inclusive.
2.]
The Commission may adopt such regulations as are necessary to carry out
the provisions of NRS 231.147 . [and
231.148.]
Sec. 6. NRS 231.144, 231.145 and 231.148 are hereby repealed.
Sec. 7. This act becomes effective on July 1, 2003.
TEXT OF REPEALED SECTION
231.144 “Department” defined. “Department” means the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.
231.145 “Director” defined. “Director” means the Director of the Department.
231.148 Grants to Commission by Director;
notification.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the Director may grant an amount not to exceed $500,000 per fiscal year to the Commission to pay for programs that the Commission approves pursuant to NRS 231.147.
2. If the Commission expends the amount granted pursuant to subsection 1 before the end of the fiscal year, the Commission may request that the Director grant additional money to pay for programs that the Commission approves pursuant to NRS 231.147.
3. Upon receipt of a request for additional money pursuant to subsection 2, the Director shall decide whether to grant the additional money and shall send written notice of his decision to the Commission in a timely manner.”.
Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:
“AN ACT relating to economic development; revising various provisions governing certain training programs for employees of businesses; providing for the reversion to the State General Fund of certain money administered by the Commission on Economic Development to carry out such training programs; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.”.
Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:
“SUMMARY—Revises various provisions governing certain training programs for employees of businesses. (BDR 18‑1348)”.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate concur in the Assembly amendment to Senate Bill No. 496.
Remarks by Senator Raggio.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
Bill ordered enrolled.
Senate Bill No. 258.
The following Assembly amendment was read:
Amendment No. 970.
Amend the bill as a whole by renumbering sec. 2 as sec. 3 and adding a new section designated sec. 2, following section 1, to read as follows:
“Sec. 2. 1. There is hereby appropriated from the State General Fund to the Health Division of the Department of Human Resources the sum of $250,000 for distribution to Fighting Aids in Our Community Today (FACT), a Las Vegas organization, for the provision of community outreach, testing, counseling and dissemination of information related to HIV/AIDS in the area of West Las Vegas.
2. Upon acceptance of the money appropriated by subsection 1, the Fighting Aids in Our Community Today organization agrees to :
(a) Use not more than 10 percent of the amount appropriated for administrative expenses.
(b) Prepare and transmit a report to the Interim Finance Committee on or before December 15, 2004, that describes each expenditure made from the money appropriated by subsection 1 from the date on which the money was received by the Organization through December 1, 2004.
(c) Upon request of the Legislative Commission, make available to the Legislative Auditor any books, accounts, claims, reports, vouchers, or other records of information, confidential or otherwise and irrespective of their form or location, that the Legislative Auditor deems necessary to conduct any audit of the use of the money appropriated by subsection 1 and distributed to the Fighting Aids in Our Community Today organization.
3. Any remaining balance of the appropriation made by subsection 1 must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2005, and reverts to the State General Fund as soon as all payments of money committed have been made.”.
Amend sec. 2, page 1, by deleting line 10 and inserting:
“Sec. 3. 1. This section and section 1 of this act become effective upon passage and approval.
2. Section 2 of this act becomes effective on July 1, 2003.”.
Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:
“AN ACT making appropriations to the University of Nevada, Reno, for certain expenses of the Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at the School of Medicine and to the Health Division of the Department of Human Resources for distribution to the Fighting Aids in Our Community Today (FACT) organization for expenses related to the provision of certain HIV/AIDS services; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.”.
Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:
“SUMMARY—Makes appropriations to University of Nevada, Reno, for expenses of Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at School of Medicine and to Health Division of Department of Human Resources for certain HIV/AIDS services. (BDR S‑1204)”.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate do not concur in the Assembly amendment to Senate Bill No. 258.
Remarks by Senator Raggio.
Motion carried.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
Reports
of Conference Committees
Madam
President:
The
first Conference Committee concerning Senate Bill No. 370, consisting of the
undersigned members, has met and reports that:
It
has agreed to recommend that the amendment(s) of the Assembly be concurred in.
It
has agreed to recommend that the bill be further amended as set forth in Conference
Amendment No. 41, which is attached to and hereby made a part of this report.
Conference
Amendment.
Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sections 1 through 20 and adding
new sections designated sections 1 through 19, following the enacting clause, to
read as follows:
“Section 1. Chapter 375 of NRS is hereby amended by
adding thereto a new section to read as follows:
1.
In addition to all other taxes imposed on transfers of real property,
the board of county commissioners of a county whose population is less than
400,000 may impose a tax at the rate of up to 5 cents for each $500 of value,
or fraction thereof, on each deed by which any lands, tenements or other realty
is granted, assigned, transferred or otherwise conveyed to, or vested in, another
person, if the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed
exceeds $100.
2.
The amount of the tax must be computed on the basis of the value of the
transferred real property as declared pursuant to NRS 375.060.
3.
The county recorder shall collect the tax in the manner provided in NRS
375.030, except that he shall transmit all the proceeds from the tax imposed
pursuant to this section to the State Treasurer for use in the Plant Industry
Program as required by NRS 561.355.
Sec. 2. NRS 375.018 is hereby amended to read as follows:
375.018 With regard to the administration of [the
real property transfer tax,] any tax
imposed by this chapter, the county recorder shall apply the following
principles:
1. Forms, instructions and regulations
governing the computation of the amount of tax due must be brief and easily
understood.
2. In cases where another authority, such as
the United States or this state, also imposes a tax upon the same property or
revenue, the mechanism for collecting the tax imposed by the county must be as
nearly compatible with the collection of the other taxes as is feasible.
3. Unless a change is made necessary by statute
or to preserve compatibility with a tax imposed by another authority, the
forms, instructions and regulations must remain the same from year to year, to
make the taxpayer’s liability as predictable as is feasible.
4. Exemptions or waivers, where permitted by
statute, must be granted:
(a)
Equitably among eligible taxpayers; and
(b) As
sparingly as is consistent with the legislative intent, to retain the broadest
feasible base for the tax.
Sec. 3. NRS 375.030 is hereby amended to read as follows:
375.030 1.
If any deed evidencing a transfer of title subject to the tax imposed by
NRS 375.020 and, if applicable, NRS 375.025 [,] and section 1 of
this act, is offered for recordation, the county recorder shall compute the
amount of the tax due and shall collect that amount before acceptance of the
deed for recordation.
2. The buyer and seller are jointly and
severally liable for the payment of the taxes imposed by NRS 375.020 and
375.025 and section 1 of this act and
any penalties and interest imposed pursuant to subsection 3. The escrow holder
is not liable for the payment of the taxes imposed by NRS 375.020 and 375.025 and section 1 of this act or any
penalties or interest imposed pursuant to subsection 3.
3. If after recordation of the deed, the county
recorder disallows an exemption that was claimed at the time the deed was
recorded or through audit or otherwise determines that an additional amount of
tax is due, the county recorder shall promptly notify the person who requested
the recording of the deed and the buyer and seller of the additional amount of
tax due. If the additional amount of tax is not paid within 30 days after the
date the buyer and seller are notified, the county recorder shall impose a
penalty of 10 percent of the additional amount due in addition to interest at
the rate of 1 percent per month, or portion thereof, of the additional amount
due calculated from the date of the original recordation of the deed on which
the additional amount is due through the date on which the additional amount
due, penalty and interest are paid to the county recorder.
4. This section does not prohibit a buyer and
seller from agreeing by contract or otherwise that one party or the other will
be responsible for the payment of the tax due pursuant to this chapter, but
such an agreement does not affect the ability of the county recorder to collect
the tax and any penalties and interest from either the buyer or the seller.
Sec. 4. NRS 375.070 is hereby amended to read as follows:
375.070 1.
The county recorder shall transmit the proceeds of the [real property
transfer] tax imposed by NRS 375.020 at
the end of each quarter in the following manner:
(a) An
amount equal to that portion of the proceeds which is equivalent to 10 cents
for each $500 of value or fraction thereof must be transmitted to the State
Controller who shall deposit that amount in the Account for Low-Income Housing
created pursuant to NRS 319.500.
(b) In a
county whose population is more than 400,000, an amount equal to that portion
of the proceeds which is equivalent to 60 cents for each $500 of value or
fraction thereof must be transmitted to the county treasurer for deposit in the
county school district’s fund for capital projects established pursuant to NRS
387.328, to be held and expended in the same manner as other money deposited in
that fund.
(c) The
remaining proceeds must be transmitted to the State Controller for deposit in
the Local Government Tax Distribution Account created by NRS 360.660 for credit
to the respective accounts of Carson City and each county.
2. In addition to any other authorized use of
the proceeds it receives pursuant to subsection 1, a county or city may
use the proceeds to pay expenses related to or incurred for the development of
affordable housing for families whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the
median income for families residing in the same county, as that percentage is
defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. A
county or city that uses the proceeds in that manner must give priority to the
development of affordable housing for persons who are disabled or elderly.
3. The expenses authorized by subsection 2
include, but are not limited to:
(a) The
costs to acquire land and developmental rights;
(b) Related
predevelopment expenses;
(c) The
costs to develop the land, including the payment of related rebates;
(d)
Contributions toward down payments made for the purchase of affordable housing;
and
(e) The
creation of related trust funds.
Sec. 5. NRS 375.090 is hereby amended to read as follows:
375.090 The [tax] taxes imposed by NRS 375.020 and 375.025 [does] and section 1 of this act do not apply
to:
1. A mere change in identity, form or place of
organization, such as a transfer between a corporation and its parent
corporation, a subsidiary or an affiliated corporation if the affiliated corporation
has identical common ownership.
2. A transfer of title to the United States,
any territory or state or any agency, department, instrumentality or political
subdivision thereof.
3. A transfer of title recognizing the true
status of ownership of the real property.
4. A transfer of title without consideration
from one joint tenant or tenant in common to one or more remaining joint
tenants or tenants in common.
5. A transfer of title to community property
without consideration when held in the name of one spouse to both spouses as
joint tenants or tenants in common, or as community property.
6. A transfer of title between spouses,
including gifts.
7. A transfer of title between spouses to
effect a property settlement agreement or between former spouses in compliance
with a decree of divorce.
8. A transfer of title to or from a trust, if
the transfer is made without consideration, and is made to or from:
(a) The
trustor of the trust;
(b) The
trustor’s legal representative; or
(c) A
person related to the trustor in the first degree of consanguinity.
As used in this subsection, “legal representative”
has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 167.020.
9. Transfers, assignments or conveyances of
unpatented mines or mining claims.
10. A transfer, assignment or other conveyance
of real property to a corporation or other business organization if the person
conveying the property owns 100 percent of the corporation or organization to
which the conveyance is made.
11. A transfer, assignment or other conveyance
of real property if the owner of the property is related to the person to whom
it is conveyed within the first degree of consanguinity.
12. The making, delivery or filing of
conveyances of real property to make effective any plan of reorganization or
adjustment:
(a)
Confirmed under the Bankruptcy Act, as amended, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq.;
(b)
Approved in an equity receivership proceeding involving a railroad, as defined
in the Bankruptcy Act; or
(c)
Approved in an equity receivership proceeding involving a corporation, as
defined in the Bankruptcy Act,
if the making, delivery or filing of instruments of
transfer or conveyance occurs within 5 years after the date of the
confirmation, approval or change.
13. The making or delivery of conveyances of
real property to make effective any order of the Securities and Exchange
Commission if:
(a) The
order of the Securities and Exchange Commission in obedience to which the
transfer or conveyance is made recites that the transfer or conveyance is necessary
or appropriate to effectuate the provisions of section 11 of the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, 15 U.S.C. § 79k;
(b) The
order specifies and itemizes the property which is ordered to be transferred or
conveyed; and
(c) The
transfer or conveyance is made in obedience to the order.
14. A transfer to an educational foundation. As
used in this subsection, “educational foundation” has the meaning ascribed to
it in subsection 3 of NRS 388.750.
15. A transfer to a university foundation. As
used in this subsection, “university foundation” has the meaning ascribed to it
in subsection 3 of NRS 396.405.
16. A transfer, assignment or other conveyance
of real property to a corporation sole from another corporation sole. As used
in this subsection, “corporation sole” means a corporation which is organized
pursuant to the provisions of chapter 84 of NRS.
Sec. 6. NRS 375.120 is hereby amended to read as follows:
375.120 The county recorder shall:
1. Conduct and apply audits and other procedures
for enforcement as uniformly as is feasible.
2. Collect [real property transfer] any tax that is due pursuant to the
provisions of this chapter in an equitable manner, so that every taxpayer
pays the full amount imposed by law.
Sec. 7. NRS 375.130 is hereby amended to read as follows:
375.130 1.
The county recorder may audit all records relating to the collection and
calculation of [the real property transfer tax.] any tax imposed by this chapter. If the county recorder deems it
necessary to conduct an audit, the audit must be completed within 3 years after
the date of the original recording of the document that evidences the transfer
of property for which the tax was imposed.
2. The county recorder may issue subpoenas to
require the production of documents necessary for him to determine the amount
of [real property transfer] the tax
due pursuant to this chapter or to determine whether a person qualifies for an
exemption from taxes pursuant to this chapter. The county recorder may have the
subpoenas served, and upon application of the district attorney, to any court
of competent jurisdiction, enforced in the manner provided by law for the
service and enforcement of subpoenas in a civil action.
Sec. 8. NRS 375.160 is hereby amended to read as follows:
375.160 1.
If any [real property transfer] tax imposed pursuant to this
chapter is not paid when due, the county may, within 3 years after the date
that the tax was due, record a certificate in the office of the county recorder
which states:
(a) The
amount of the [real property transfer] tax and any interest or penalties
due;
(b) The
name and address of the person who is liable for the amount due as they appear
on the records of the county; and
(c) That
the county recorder has complied with all procedures required by law for
determining the amount due.
2. From the time of the recording of the
certificate, the amount due, including interest and penalties, constitutes:
(a) A lien
upon the real property for which the tax was due if the person who owes the tax
still owns the property; or
(b) A
demand for payment if the property has been sold or otherwise transferred to
another person.
3. The lien has the effect and priority of a
judgment lien and continues for 5 years after the time of the recording of the
certificate unless sooner released or otherwise discharged.
4. Within 5 years after the date of recording
the certificate or within 5 years after the date of the last extension of the
lien pursuant to this subsection, the lien may be extended by recording a new
certificate in the office of the county recorder. From the time of recording
the new certificate, the lien is extended for 5 years, unless sooner released
or otherwise discharged.
Sec. 9. NRS 375.170 is hereby amended to read as follows:
375.170 1.
If a person is delinquent in the payment of [the real property
transfer] any tax imposed by this chapter or has not paid
the amount of a deficiency determination, the county may bring an action in a
court of this state, a court of any other state or a court of the
United States that has competent jurisdiction to collect the delinquent or
deficient amount, penalties and interest. The action:
(a) May not
be brought if the decision that the payment is delinquent or that there is a
deficiency determination is on appeal to a hearing officer pursuant to NRS
375.320.
(b) Must be
brought not later than 3 years after the payment became delinquent or the
determination became final.
2. The district attorney shall prosecute the
action. The provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes, Nevada Rules of Civil
Procedure and Nevada Rules of Appellate Procedure relating to service of
summons, pleadings, proofs, trials and appeals are applicable to the
proceedings. In the action, a writ of attachment may issue. A bond or affidavit
is not required before an attachment may be issued.
3. In an action, a certificate by the county
recorder showing the delinquency is prima facie evidence of:
(a) The
determination of the tax or the amount of the tax;
(b) The delinquency
of the amounts; and
(c) The
compliance by the county recorder with all the procedures required by law
relating to the computation and determination of the amounts.
Sec. 10. NRS 375.250 is hereby amended to read as follows:
375.250 1.
The Legislature hereby declares that each taxpayer has the right:
(a) To be
treated by officers and employees of the county recorder with courtesy,
fairness, uniformity, consistency and common sense.
(b) To a
prompt response from the county recorder to each communication from the
taxpayer.
(c) To
provide the minimum documentation and other information as may reasonably be
required by the county recorder to carry out his duties.
(d) To be
notified, in writing, by the county recorder whenever an officer or employee of
the county recorder determines that the taxpayer is entitled to an exemption or
has been taxed more than is required pursuant to this chapter.
(e) To
written instructions indicating how the taxpayer may petition for a refund for
overpayment of [real property transfer] any tax, interest or penalties.
(f) To
recover an overpayment of [real property transfer] any tax promptly upon the final determination of such an
overpayment.
(g) To
obtain specific advice from the county recorder concerning [real property
transfer] any tax.
(h) In any
meeting with the county recorder, including an audit, conference, interview or
hearing:
(1) To
an explanation by an officer, agent or employee of the county recorder that
describes the procedures to be followed and the rights of the taxpayer
thereunder;
(2) To
be represented by himself or anyone who is otherwise authorized by law to
represent him before the county recorder;
(3) To
make an audio recording using the taxpayer’s equipment and at the taxpayer’s
expense; and
(4) To
receive a copy of any document or audio recording made by or in the possession
of the county recorder relating to the determination or collection of any tax
for which the taxpayer is assessed pursuant to this chapter, upon payment of
the actual cost to the county recorder of making the copy.
(i) To a
full explanation of the authority of the county recorder to collect the [real
property transfer] tax or to collect a
delinquent [real property transfer] tax, including, without
limitation, the procedures and notices for review and appeal that are required
for the protection of the taxpayer. An explanation which meets the requirements
of this section must also be included with each notice to a taxpayer that an
audit will be conducted by the county.
(j) To the
immediate release of any lien which the county recorder has placed on real
property for the nonpayment of [the real property transfer] a tax when:
(1) The
tax is paid;
(2) The
period of limitation for collecting the tax expires;
(3) The
lien is the result of an error by the county recorder;
(4) The
county recorder determines that the taxes, interest and penalties are secured
sufficiently by a lien on other real property;
(5) The
release or subordination of the lien will not jeopardize the collection of the
taxes, interest and penalties; or
(6) The
release of the lien will facilitate the collection of the taxes, interest and
penalties.
(k) To be
free from harassment and intimidation by an officer or employee of the county
recorder for any reason.
2. The provisions of this chapter governing the
administration and collection of taxes by the county recorder must not be
construed in such a manner as to interfere or conflict with the provisions of
this section or any applicable regulations.
3. The provisions of this section apply to the
administration and collection of taxes pursuant to this chapter.
Sec. 11. NRS 375.270 is hereby amended to read as follows:
375.270 The county recorder shall provide each
taxpayer who it determines may be liable for taxes pursuant to this chapter
with simplified written instructions concerning the rights and responsibilities
of the taxpayer, including the:
1. Keeping of records sufficient for audit
purposes;
2. Procedures for paying [the real property
transfer tax;] any taxes that are
due; and
3. Procedures for challenging any liability for
[real property transfer] any tax,
penalties or interest and for requesting refunds of any erroneously paid [real property transfer] tax, including
the steps for appealing a denial thereof.
Sec. 12. NRS 375.290 is hereby amended to read as follows:
375.290 A taxpayer is entitled to receive on any
overpayment of [the real property transfer] any tax imposed by this
chapter a refund together with interest at a rate determined pursuant to
NRS 17.130. No interest is allowed on a refund of any penalties or interest on
the [real property transfer] tax that is paid by a taxpayer.
Sec. 13. NRS 375.300 is hereby amended to read as follows:
375.300 The county recorder shall provide a taxpayer
with a response to any written request submitted by the taxpayer that relates
to a [real property transfer] tax imposed
by this chapter within 30 days after the county treasurer receives the
request.
Sec. 14. NRS 375.330 is hereby amended to read as follows:
375.330 1.
The county recorder may waive any [real property transfer] tax,
penalty and interest owed by the taxpayer pursuant
to this chapter if the taxpayer meets the criteria adopted by regulation.
If a waiver is granted pursuant to this subsection, the county shall prepare
and maintain on file a statement that contains:
(a) The
reason for the waiver;
(b) The
amount of the tax, penalty and interest owed by the taxpayer; and
(c) The
amount of the tax, penalty and interest waived by the county.
2. If the county recorder or a designated
hearing officer finds that the failure of a person to make a timely payment of [the
real property transfer] any tax
imposed is the result of circumstances beyond his control and occurred despite
the exercise of ordinary care and without intent to avoid such payment, the
county recorder may relieve him of all or part of any interest or penalty or
both.
3. If a person proves to the satisfaction of
the county recorder that he has in good faith remitted the [real property
transfer] tax in reliance upon written advice provided by an officer or
employee of the county recorder, an opinion of the district attorney or
Attorney General, or the written results of an audit of his records conducted
by the county recorder, the county recorder may not require the taxpayer to pay
delinquent taxes, penalties or interest if the county recorder determines after
the completion of a subsequent audit that the taxes the taxpayer remitted were
deficient.
Sec. 15. Chapter 226 is hereby
amended by adding thereto a new section to read as follows:
There is hereby created an account for the
rebate of the governmental services tax to senior citizens within the State
General Fund. The State Treasurer shall administer the account.
Sec. 16. NRS 388.750 is hereby amended to read as follows:
388.750 1.
An educational foundation:
(a) Shall
comply with the provisions of chapter 241 of NRS;
(b) Except
as otherwise provided in subsection 2, shall make its records public and open
to inspection pursuant to NRS 239.010; and
(c) Is
exempt from the [tax on transfers of real property] taxes imposed by NRS 375.020 and 375.025 and section 1 of this act pursuant
to subsection 14 of NRS 375.090.
2. An educational foundation is not required to
disclose the names of the contributors to the foundation or the amount of their
contributions. The educational foundation shall, upon request, allow a
contributor to examine, during regular business hours, any record, document or
other information of the foundation relating to that contributor.
3. As used in this section, “educational
foundation” means a nonprofit corporation, association or institution or a
charitable organization that is:
(a)
Organized and operated exclusively for the purpose of supporting one or more
kindergartens, elementary schools, junior high or middle schools or high
schools, or any combination thereof;
(b) Formed
pursuant to the laws of this state; and
(c) Exempt
from taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3).
Sec. 17. NRS 396.405 is hereby amended to read as follows:
396.405 1. A
university foundation:
(a) Shall
comply with the provisions of chapter 241 of NRS;
(b) Except
as otherwise provided in subsection 2, shall make its records public and open to
inspection pursuant to NRS 239.010;
(c) Is
exempt from the [tax on transfers of real property] taxes imposed by NRS 375.020 and 375.025 and section 1 of this act pursuant
to subsection [14] 15 of NRS
375.090; and
(d) May
allow a president or an administrator of the university or community college
which it supports to serve as a member of its governing body.
2. A university foundation is not required to
disclose the name of any contributor or potential contributor to the university
foundation, the amount of his contribution or any information which may reveal
or lead to the discovery of his identity. The university foundation shall, upon
request, allow a contributor to examine, during regular business hours, any
record, document or other information of the foundation relating to that
contributor.
3. As used in this section, “university
foundation” means a nonprofit corporation, association or institution or a
charitable organization that is:
(a)
Organized and operated exclusively for the purpose of supporting a university
or a community college;
(b) Formed
pursuant to the laws of this state; and
(c) Exempt
from taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3).
Sec. 18. NRS 561.355 is hereby amended to read as follows:
561.355 1.
The Plant Industry Program is hereby established.
2. The following fees and money must be used in
the Plant Industry Program:
(a) Fees
and money collected pursuant to the provisions of chapters 552, 555, 581, 582
and 587 of NRS.
(b)
Laboratory fees collected for the diagnosis of infectious, contagious and
parasitic diseases of bees, as authorized by NRS 561.305, and as are necessary
pursuant to the provisions of chapter 552 of NRS.
(c)
Laboratory fees collected for the diagnosis of infectious, contagious and
destructive diseases of agricultural commodities, and infestations thereof by
pests, as authorized by NRS 561.305, and as may be necessary pursuant to
the provisions of chapter 554 of NRS [554.010
to 554.240, inclusive.]
(d)
Laboratory fees collected for the survey and identification of insect pests,
plant diseases and noxious weeds, as authorized by NRS 561.305, and as may be
necessary pursuant to the provisions of NRS 555.005 to 555.249, inclusive.
(e)
Laboratory fees collected for the testing of the purity and germinating power
of agricultural seeds, as authorized by NRS 561.305, and as may be necessary
pursuant to the provisions of NRS 587.015 to 587.123, inclusive.
(f) Money received from a tax on the
transfer of real property imposed pursuant to section 1 of this act.
3. Expenditures for the Plant Industry Program
must be made only for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this
chapter and chapters 552, 554, 555, 581, 582 and 587 of NRS.
4. The money credited to the Program pursuant
to section 1 of this act must be allocated for disbursement to each county in
proportion to the amount of money collected in that county and must only be
used:
(a) By the Department for
programs on the exclusion, detection and control of:
(1) Invasive species;
and
(2) Endemic pests and
weeds designated by the Director; and
(b) For grants to local governments and
nonprofit organizations for the control or management of such species, pests
and weeds.
5.
Not later than 30 days after the beginning of each fiscal year, the
Department shall present to each board of county commissioners for approval by
each such board proposed programs for the exclusion, detection and control of
invasive species and endemic pests and weeds designated by the Director that
involve cooperative action between the Department and the county.
6.
As used in this section:
(a) “Invasive species” means any living
organism not native to this state that may present a threat to the economy,
environment or public health of this state.
(b) “Local government” has the meaning
ascribed to it in NRS 237.050.
Sec. 19. This act becomes
effective on July 1, 2003.”.
Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:
“AN ACT relating to taxation; authorizing the board of county
commissioners of certain counties to impose an additional tax on the transfer
of real property; requiring the proceeds of the tax to be used for the control
of invasive species and certain endemic pests and weeds; creating an account
for the rebate of the governmental services tax to senior citizens; requiring
the State Department of Agriculture to present annually to each board of county
commissioners proposed programs for the control of such species, pests and
weeds; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.”.
Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:
“SUMMARY—Authorizes board of county commissioners of certain
counties to impose additional tax on transfer of real property for control of
invasive species and certain endemic pests and weeds and creates account for
rebate of governmental services tax to senior citizens. (BDR 32‑39)”.
Dean A. Rhoads |
David Goldwater |
Ann O'Connell |
Josh Griffin |
Bob Coffin |
David Parks |
Senate Conference Committee |
Assembly Conference
Committee |
Senator Rhoads moved that the Senate adopt the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Senate Bill No. 370.
Remarks by Senators Rhoads.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate recess until 3 p.m.
Motion carried.
Senate in recess at 12:44 p.m.
SENATE IN SESSION
At 7:03 p.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Quorum present.
REPORTS
OF COMMITTEES
Madam
President:
Your
Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred Assembly Bill No. 460, has had
the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the
recommendation: Amend, and do pass as amended.
Mark E. Amodei, Chairman
Madam
President:
Your
Committee on Legislative Affairs and Operations, to which was referred Assembly
Concurrent Resolution No. 18, has had the same under consideration, and begs
leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Be adopted.
Maurice E. Washington, Chairman
MESSAGES FROM THE ASSEMBLY
Assembly
Chamber, Carson
City, June 2, 2003
To the
Honorable the Senate:
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day concurred in the Senate Amendment No. 730 to Assembly Bill No. 284; Senate Amendment No. 966 to Assembly Bill No. 544.
Also,
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day
refused to adopt the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Senate
Bill No. 229 and requests a second conference, and appointed Assemblymen
Pierce, Koivisto and Weber as a second Conference Committee to meet with a like
committee of the Senate for further consideration of Senate Bill No. 229.
Diane
Keetch |
Assistant Chief Clerk of
the Assembly |
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES
Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 18.
Senator Washington moved the adoption of the resolution.
Remarks by Senator Washington.
Resolution adopted.
Resolution ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING AND REFERENCE
By the Committee on Finance:
Senate Bill No. 508—AN ACT relating to education; making appropriations to the State Distributive School Account for purposes relating to class-size reduction; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Raggio moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
REPORTS
OF COMMITTEES
Madam
President:
Your
Committee on Finance, to which was referred Senate Bill No. 508, has had the
same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the
recommendation: Do pass.
William J. Raggio, Chairman
SECOND READING AND AMENDMENT
Assembly Bill No. 441.
Bill read second time.
The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Finance:
Amendment No. 1008.
Amend sec. 12, pages 4 and 5, by deleting lines 18 through 45 on page 4 and lines 1 through 6 on page 5, and inserting:
“Sec.
12. 1. The Nevada Commission on
Homeland Security, consisting of the members appointed pursuant to this
section, is hereby created.
2. The Governor shall appoint to the Commission
a number of members that he determines to be appropriate, except that the
Commission must include at least:
(a)
One member who is a representative of a Nevada law enforcement agency; and
(b)
One member who is not employed in the field of law enforcement and is not
otherwise affiliated with the field of law enforcement.
3. The Senate Majority Leader shall appoint one
member of the Senate as a nonvoting member of the Commission.
4. The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint
one member of the Assembly as a nonvoting member of the Commission.
5. Except for the initial members, the term of
office of each member of the Commission who is a Legislator is 2 years and
commences on July 1 of the year of appointment.
6. The Governor or his designee shall:
(a)
Serve as Chairman of the Commission; and
(b) Appoint a member of the Commission to serve as Vice Chairman of the Commission.”.
Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sec. 13 and adding:
“Sec. 13. (Deleted by amendment.)”.
Amend the bill as a whole by adding a new section designated sec. 17.5, following sec. 17, to read as follows:
“Sec.
17.5. On or before February 15 of each year, the Governor shall:
1. Prepare a report setting forth:
(a)
The activities of the Commission; and
(b) A
description of any matters with respect to which the Commission held a closed
meeting or closed a portion of a meeting, if any, accompanied by an explanation
of the reasons why the Commission determined that the meeting or portion
thereof needed to be closed; and
2. Submit a copy of the report to the Director
of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to:
(a) If
the Legislature is in session, the standing committees of the Legislature which
have jurisdiction of the subject matter; or
(b) If
the Legislature is not in session, the Legislative Commission.”.
Amend sec. 21, page 8, by deleting lines 34 through 36 and inserting:
“(f)
Documents, records or other items of information regarding the infrastructure
and security of frequencies for radio transmissions used by response agencies,
including, without limitation:
(1)
Access codes, passwords or programs used to ensure the security of frequencies
for radio transmissions used by response agencies;
(2)
Procedures and processes used to ensure the security of frequencies for radio
transmissions used by response agencies; and
(3) Plans used to reestablish security and service with respect to frequencies for radio transmissions used by response agencies after security has been breached or service has been interrupted.”.
Amend the bill as a whole by adding a new section designated sec. 27.5, following sec. 27, to read as follows:
“Sec. 27.5. Chapter 242 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a new section to read as follows:
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection
3, records and portions of records that are assembled, maintained, overseen or
prepared by the Department to mitigate, prevent or respond to acts of
terrorism, the public disclosure of which would, in the determination of the
Director, create a substantial likelihood of threatening the safety of the
general public are confidential and not subject to inspection by the general
public to the extent that such records and portions of records consist of or
include:
(a)
Information regarding the infrastructure and security of information systems,
including, without limitation:
(1)
Access codes, passwords and programs used to ensure the security of an
information system;
(2)
Access codes used to ensure the security of software applications;
(3)
Procedures and processes used to ensure the security of an information system;
and
(4)
Plans used to reestablish security and service with respect to an information
system after security has been breached or service has been interrupted.
(b)
Assessments and plans that relate specifically and uniquely to the
vulnerability of an information system or to the measures which will be taken
to respond to such vulnerability, including, without limitation, any compiled
underlying data necessary to prepare such assessments and plans.
(c)
The results of tests of the security of an information system, insofar as those
results reveal specific vulnerabilities relative to the information system.
2. The Director shall maintain or cause to be
maintained a list of each record or portion of a record that the Director has
determined to be confidential pursuant to subsection 1. The list described in
this subsection must be prepared and maintained so as to recognize the
existence of each such record or portion of a record without revealing the
contents thereof.
3. At least once each biennium, the Director
shall review the list described in subsection 2 and shall, with respect to each
record or portion of a record that the Director has determined to be
confidential pursuant to subsection 1:
(a)
Determine that the record or portion of a record remains confidential in
accordance with the criteria set forth in subsection 1;
(b)
Determine that the record or portion of a record is no longer confidential in
accordance with the criteria set forth in subsection 1; or
(c) If
the Director determines that the record or portion of a record is obsolete,
cause the record or portion of a record to be disposed of in the manner
described in NRS 239.073 to 239.125, inclusive.
4. On or before February 15 of each year, the
Director shall:
(a)
Prepare a report setting forth a detailed description of each record or portion
of a record determined to be confidential pursuant to this section, if any,
accompanied by an explanation of why each such record or portion of a record
was determined to be confidential; and
(b)
Submit a copy of the report to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau
for transmittal to:
(1)
If the Legislature is in session, the standing committees of the Legislature
which have jurisdiction of the subject matter; or
(2)
If the Legislature is not in session, the Legislative Commission.
5. As used in this section, “act of terrorism” has the meaning ascribed to it in section 5 of this act.”.
Amend sec. 30, page 15, lines 36 and 41, by deleting “2004,” and inserting “2005,”.
Amend sec. 31, page 16, lines 12 and 17, by deleting “2004,” and inserting “2005,”.
Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sec. 32 and adding:
“Sec. 32. (Deleted by amendment.)”.
Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sec. 38 and adding:
“Sec. 38. (Deleted by amendment.)”.
Amend sec. 39, page 25, by deleting lines 5 through 15 and inserting:
“1. The Senate Majority Leader shall appoint one member of the Senate to the Nevada Commission on Homeland Security pursuant to subsection 3 of section 12 of this act to a term that expires on June 30, 2005.
2. The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint one member of the Assembly to the Nevada Commission on Homeland Security pursuant to subsection 4 of section 12 of this act to a term that expires on June 30, 2005.”.
Amend sec. 40, page 25, line 20, after “inclusive,” by inserting “and 27.5”.
Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:
“AN ACT relating to homeland security; creating the Nevada Commission on Homeland Security; setting forth the membership and duties of the Commission; providing certain exceptions to the open meeting law; requiring certain political subdivisions to adopt and maintain a response plan; establishing a plan for the continuation of state and local governmental operations; requiring certain utilities to conduct vulnerability assessments and to prepare emergency response plans; revising provisions relating to certain unlawful acts committed against utilities; requiring the Director of the Department of Information Technology to determine the confidentiality of certain records relating to the security of the State; providing for the confidentiality of certain documents, records and other information; imposing certain requirements for interoperability with respect to information and communication systems purchased by this state and local governments; requiring certain governmental entities to place automated external defibrillators in certain buildings and facilities; making various changes with respect to the authority of the Department of Motor Vehicles to accept and reject certain documents; increasing certain criminal penalties with respect to the fraudulent use of drivers’ licenses and identification cards; making an appropriation; providing penalties; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.”.
Senator Raggio moved the adoption of the amendment.
Remarks by Senators Raggio, Care and Coffin.
Senator Coffin requested that his remarks be entered in the Journal.
Thank you, Madam President. Senator Raggio
accurately portrayed what has happened with section 21 for which we received a
great deal of e-mail from Ham radio and hobby enthusiasts and others. What it
does is important and should be entered into the Journal because it indicates a
satisfactory conclusion to a dilemma of trying to figure out how to handle
paragraph (f) under section 21. It would have made criminals out of people who
publish public frequencies which are currently controlled by the federal CFRs.
This states that you can own or publish these frequencies and
listen to these frequencies if you choose. You will not be a criminal because
the specific language says if these frequencies are encrypted and there is a
code or this is a document in the possession of law enforcement, that
information cannot be shared. It cannot be sold or published. These are meant
to be secret, and these are not of interest to the hobbyist and to the
legitimate Ham radio operator. It would only be of interest to criminals or to
those who would subvert the country. That should solve the problem that you
have been reading about. I support this.
Amendment adopted.
Bill ordered reprinted, re-engrossed and to third reading.
GENERAL FILE AND THIRD
READING
Senate Bill No. 508.
Bill read third time.
Remarks by Senator Raggio.
Roll call on Senate Bill No. 508:
Yeas—20.
Nays—Carlton.
Senate Bill No. 508 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
Assembly Bill No. 490.
Bill read third time.
The following amendment was proposed by Senator Townsend:
Amendment No. 1010.
Amend sec. 19, page 5, by deleting lines 22
through 32 and inserting: “business as [:
(a) A firm or corporation that is exempt from licensing as]
a mortgage [company pursuant to subsection 6 of NRS 645E.150.
(b) A mortgage company if:
(1)] banker if:
(a) The licensee and
the mortgage [company:
(I)] banker:
(1) Operate as separate legal entities;
[(II)] (2)
Maintain separate accounts, books and records;
[(III)] (3)
Are subsidiaries of the same parent corporation; and
[(IV)] (4)
Maintain separate licenses; and
[(2)] (b) The mortgage [company] banker is licensed by this state”.
Amend sec. 36, page 14, by deleting lines 20 through 41 and inserting:
“6. [Except
as otherwise provided in this subsection and NRS 645B.690, any firm or
corporation:
(a) Whose principal purpose or activity
is lending money on real property which is secured by a mortgage;
(b) Approved by the Federal National
Mortgage Association as a seller and servicer; and
(c) Approved by the Department of Housing
and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
A
firm or corporation is not exempt from the provisions of this chapter pursuant
to this subsection if it maintains any accounts described in subsection 1 of
NRS 645B.175 or if it offers for sale in this state any unregistered security
under state or federal law and purports to make investments in promissory notes
secured by liens on real property. A firm or corporation which is exempted
pursuant to this subsection must submit annually as a condition of its
continued exemption a certified statement by an independent certified public
accountant that the firm or corporation does not maintain any such accounts.
This subsection does not prohibit an exempt firm or corporation from maintaining
accounts described in NRS 645B.170 and subsection 4 of NRS 645B.175.
7.]
Any person doing any act under an order of any court.”.
Amend sec. 36, page 14, line 42, by deleting
“8.” and inserting “[8.] 7.”.
Amend sec. 36, page 15, line 4, by deleting
“9.” and inserting “[9.] 8.”.
Amend sec. 36, page 15, line 7, by deleting
“10.” and inserting “[10.] 9.”.
Amend sec. 37, page 15, line 12, by deleting
“or 6” and inserting “[or 6]”.
Amend sec. 37, page 15, line 17, by deleting
“or 6” and inserting “[or 6]”.
Amend sec. 37, page 15, by deleting line 21 and inserting:
“subsections
2 to [5, inclusive, or 7 to 10,] 9,
inclusive, of NRS 645B.015”.
Amend sec. 47, page 27, by deleting lines 16 through 31 and inserting:
“2. [If a person is
exempt from the provisions of this chapter pursuant to subsection 6 of NRS
645B.015 and the person, while exempt, maintains, offers to maintain or holds
himself out as maintaining any accounts described in subsection 1 of NRS
645B.175 or otherwise engages in, offers to engage in or holds himself out as
engaging in any activity that would remove the person from the exemption set
forth in subsection 6 of NRS 645B.015, the Commissioner shall impose upon the
person an administrative fine of not more than $10,000 for each violation and
the Commissioner shall revoke the person’s exemption. If the Commissioner
revokes an exemption pursuant to this subsection, the person may not again be
granted the same or a similar exemption from the provisions of this chapter.
The person may apply for a license pursuant to this chapter unless otherwise
prohibited by specific statute.
3.]
If a mortgage broker violates any provision of subsection 1”.
Amend sec. 54, pages 29 and 30, by deleting lines 44 and 45 on page 29 and lines 1 through 7 on page 30, and inserting:
“6. [Any
firm or corporation:
(a) Whose principal purpose or activity
is lending money on real property which is secured by a mortgage;
(b) Approved by the Federal National
Mortgage Association as a seller and servicer; and
(c) Approved by the Department of Housing
and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
7.]
Any person doing any act under an order of any court.”.
Amend sec. 54, page 30, line 8, by deleting
“8.” and inserting “[8.] 7.”.
Amend sec. 54, page 30, line 15, by deleting
“9.” and inserting “[9.] 8.”.
Amend sec. 54, page 30, line 18, by deleting
“10.” and inserting “[10.] 9.”.
Amend sec. 55, page 30, line 22, by deleting
“or 6” and inserting “[or 6]”.
Amend sec. 55, page 30, line 28, by deleting
“or 6” and inserting “[or 6]”.
Amend sec. 55, page 30, by deleting line 32
and inserting: “subsections 2 to [5, inclusive, or 7 to 10,] 9, inclusive, of NRS 645E.150”.
Amend the bill as a whole by adding a new section designated sec. 87.5, following sec. 87, to read as follows:
“Sec. 87.5. 1. Notwithstanding the amendatory provisions of this act, if a person, on July 1, 2003, holds a certificate of exemption issued pursuant to chapter 645B of NRS and the certificate is based on the exemption set forth in subsection 6 of NRS 645B.015, as that subsection existed before the enactment of this act, the person may, until January 1, 2004, provide the services of a mortgage broker or otherwise engage in, carry on or hold himself out as engaging in or carrying on the business of a mortgage broker without being licensed pursuant to chapter 645B of NRS.
2. Notwithstanding the amendatory provisions of this act, if a person, on July 1, 2003, holds a certificate of exemption issued pursuant to chapter 645E of NRS and the certificate is based on the exemption set forth in subsection 6 of NRS 645E.150, as that subsection existed before the enactment of this act, the person may, until January 1, 2004, provide the services of a mortgage banker or otherwise engage in, carry on or hold himself out as engaging in or carrying on the business of a mortgage banker without being licensed pursuant to chapter 645E of NRS.”.
Amend the title of the bill, thirteenth line, after “of” by inserting “mortgage bankers,”.
Senator Townsend moved the adoption of the amendment.
Remarks by Senator Townsend.
Amendment adopted.
Bill ordered reprinted, re-engrossed and to third reading.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Consideration
of Assembly Amendments
Senate Bill No. 216.
The following Assembly amendment was read:
Amendment No. 969.
Amend sec. 2, page 2, by deleting line 33 and inserting: “Planning Agency and the Marlette Lake Water System”.
Amend sec. 3, page 2, by deleting line 37 and inserting: “Planning Agency and the Marlette Lake Water System”.
Amend sec. 5, page 3, by deleting lines 38 and 39 and inserting: “Regional Planning Agency and the Marlette Lake Water System;”.
Amend sec. 5, page 3, by deleting line 42 and inserting: “the Marlette Lake Water System in such a manner as”.
Amend sec. 5, page 4, by deleting lines 3 and 4 and inserting:
“(b) The Marlette Lake Water System regarding Marlette Lake; and”.
Amend the bill as a whole by renumbering sec. 9 as sec. 11 and adding new sections designated sections 9 and 10, following sec. 8, to read as follows:
“Sec. 9. NRS 218.5368 is hereby amended to read as follows:
218.5368 The Committee shall:
1. Actively support the efforts of state and local governments in the western states regarding public lands and state sovereignty as impaired by federal ownership of land.
2. Advance knowledge and understanding in local, regional and national forums of Nevada’s unique situation with respect to public lands.
3. Support legislation that will enhance state and local roles in the management of public lands and will increase the disposal of public lands.
4. Review the programs and activities of:
(a)
The Colorado River Commission of Nevada;
(b)
All public water authorities, districts and systems in the State of Nevada,
including, without limitation, the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the Truckee
Meadows Water Authority, the Virgin Valley Water District, the Carson River
Subconservancy District, the Humboldt River Basin Water Authority, and the
Truckee-Carson Irrigation District; and
(c)
All other public or private entities with which any county in the State has an
agreement regarding the planning, development or distribution of water
resources, or any combination thereof.
5. On or before January 15 of each odd-numbered
year, submit to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal
to the Legislature a report concerning the review conducted pursuant to
subsection 4.
Sec. 10. NRS 331.165 is hereby repealed.”.
Amend sec. 9, page 5, by deleting line 19 and inserting:
“Sec. 11.
1. This
act becomes effective on July 1, 2003.
2. The amendatory provisions of section 9 of this act expire by limitation on June 30, 2007.”.
Amend the bill as a whole by adding the text of the repealed section, following sec. 9, to read as follows:
TEXT OF REPEALED SECTION
331.165 Advisory Committee: Creation; composition; officers; recommendations.
1. The Marlette Lake Water System Advisory Committee is hereby created to be composed of:
(a) One member appointed by the Administrator of the Division of Wildlife of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
(b) One member appointed by the Administrator of the Division of State Parks.
(c) Three members from the State Legislature, including at least one member of the Senate and one member of the Assembly, appointed by the Legislative Commission.
(d) One member from the staff of the Legislative Counsel Bureau appointed by the Legislative Commission. The member so appointed shall serve as a nonvoting member of the Advisory Committee.
(e) One member appointed by the State Forester Firewarden.
(f) One member appointed by the Department of Administration.
2. The voting members of the Advisory Committee shall select one of the legislative members of the Advisory Committee as Chairman and one as Vice Chairman. After the initial selection of a Chairman and Vice Chairman, each such officer serves a term of 2 years beginning on July 1 of each odd‑numbered year. If a vacancy occurs in the Chairmanship or Vice‑Chairmanship, the person appointed to succeed that officer shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
3. The Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau shall provide a Secretary for the Advisory Committee.
4. Members of the Advisory Committee serve at the pleasure of their respective appointing authorities.
5. The Advisory Committee may make recommendations to the Legislative Commission, the Interim Finance Committee, the Department of Administration, the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Governor concerning any matters relating to the Marlette Lake Water System or any part thereof.”.
Amend the preamble of the bill, page 2, by deleting lines 3 through 16.
Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:
“AN ACT relating to the Legislature; creating a Legislative Committee for the Review and Oversight of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Marlette Lake Water System; providing the powers and duties of the Committee; expanding the duties of the Legislative Committee on Public Lands to include the review of programs and activities relating to public water authorities, districts and systems, and certain other entities involved in the planning, development or distribution of water in the State of Nevada; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.”.
Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:
“SUMMARY—Creates interim legislative committee to review Tahoe Regional Planning Compact and oversee Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Marlette Lake Water System and expands duties of Legislative Committee on Public Lands. (BDR 17‑175)”.
Senator Washington moved that the Senate concur in the Assembly amendment to Senate Bill No. 216.
Remarks by Senator Washington.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
Bill ordered enrolled.
Appointment of Conference Committees
Madam President appointed Senators Townsend, Titus and Cegavske as a second Conference Committee to meet with a like committee of the Assembly for the further consideration of Senate Bill No. 229.
Reports
of Conference Committees
Madam
President:
The
first Conference Committee concerning Senate Bill No. 97, consisting of the
undersigned members, has met and reports that:
It
has agreed to recommend that the amendment of the Assembly be concurred in.
It
has agreed to recommend that the bill be further amended as set forth in
Conference Amendment No. 39, which is attached to and hereby made a part of
this report.
Conference
Amendment.
Amend the bill as a whole by
deleting sections 1 through 47 and the text of repealed section and adding new
sections designated sections 1 through 66 and the leadlines of repealed
sections, following the enacting clause, to read as follows:
“Section 1. This act may be cited as the “Keep Quality
Medical Care in Nevada Act.”
Sec. 2. The Legislature hereby finds and declares
that:
1. The 18th Special
Session of the Nevada Legislature was held in 2002 to address the State’s
emerging medical malpractice crisis.
2. The primary concern of
the Nevada Legislature during the 18th Special Session was to keep our doctors
in Nevada, recognizing that failure to do so would pose a serious threat to the
health, welfare and safety of the residents of this state.
3. The Nevada Legislature
unanimously approved broad reforms during the 18th Special Session to provide
stability and predictability to Nevada’s civil justice system and insurance
market while protecting the legal remedies available to injured patients.
4. The reforms passed by
the Nevada Legislature during the 18th Special Session included:
(a) A $350,000 limitation on the amount that may be awarded for
noneconomic damages in a medical or dental malpractice action, which was
carefully crafted to limit liability while providing compensation to an injured
patient;
(b) A $50,000 limitation on the amount of damages that may be
awarded in a malpractice action for emergency care received in hospitals;
(c) Immunity from liability for certain providers of health care
who provide treatment gratuitously at a health care facility of a governmental
entity or a nonprofit organization;
(d) Protection of the right to consider collateral sources of
payment to a patient and to elect to receive future damages awarded in periodic
payments;
(e) Several liability for noneconomic damages awarded in an action
for medical malpractice so that a physician is only liable for such damages in
an amount equal to the percentage of negligence attributable to him;
(f) The enactment of laws to increase the efficiency of the civil
justice system by providing a shorter period within which to commence a
malpractice action, making changes concerning pretrial settlement conferences
and requiring certain district judges to receive certain training concerning
medical malpractice actions;
(g) Stricter requirements concerning reporting information
concerning medical malpractice to state licensing boards; and
(h) Requiring the reporting of medical errors and protecting
“whistle blowers” who report medical errors or potential medical malpractice.
5. The Nevada Legislature
responded to the medical malpractice crisis in 2002 and now proposes to include
additional protections for consumers of medical care in this state as set forth
in this act.
Sec. 3. Chapter 41 of NRS is hereby amended by
adding thereto the provisions set forth as sections 4 and 5 of this act.
Sec. 4. 1. Unless the liability of a person is limited
pursuant to NRS 41.032 to 41.0337, inclusive, and except as otherwise provided
in subsection 2 and in section 5 of this act:
(a) A hospital;
(b) An employee of a
hospital who renders care or assistance to patients; and
(c) A physician or dentist
licensed under the provisions of chapter 630, 631 or 633 of NRS who renders
care or assistance in a hospital, whether or not the care or assistance was
rendered gratuitously or for a fee,
that in good faith renders care or assistance necessitated by a
traumatic injury demanding immediate medical attention, for which the patient
enters the hospital through its emergency room or trauma center, may not be
held liable for more than $50,000 in civil damages, exclusive of interest
computed from the date of judgment, to or for the benefit of any claimant
arising out of any act or omission in rendering that care or assistance if the
care or assistance is rendered in good faith and in a manner not amounting to
gross negligence or reckless, willful or wanton conduct.
2. The limitation on liability provided
pursuant to this section does not apply to any act or omission in rendering
care or assistance:
(a) Which occurs after the
patient is stabilized and is capable of receiving medical treatment as a
nonemergency patient, unless surgery is required as a result of the emergency
within a reasonable time after the patient is stabilized, in which case the
limitation on liability provided by subsection 1 applies to any act or omission
in rendering care or assistance which occurs before the stabilization of the
patient following the surgery; or
(b) Unrelated to the
original traumatic injury.
3. If:
(a) A physician or dentist
provides follow-up care to a patient to whom he rendered care or assistance
pursuant to subsection 1;
(b) A medical condition
arises during the course of the follow-up care that is directly related to the
original traumatic injury for which care or assistance was rendered pursuant to
subsection 1; and
(c) The patient files an
action for malpractice based on the medical condition that arises during the
course of the follow-up care,
there is a rebuttable presumption that the medical condition was the
result of the original traumatic injury and that the limitation on liability
provided by subsection 1 applies with respect to the medical condition that
arises during the course of the follow-up care.
4. For the purposes of this section:
(a) “Reckless, willful or
wanton conduct,” as it applies to a person to whom subsection 1 applies,
shall be deemed to be that conduct which the person knew or should have known
at the time he rendered the care or assistance would be likely to result in
injury so as to affect the life or health of another person, taking into
consideration to the extent applicable:
(1) The extent or
serious nature of the prevailing circumstances;
(2) The lack of time or
ability to obtain appropriate consultation;
(3) The lack of a prior
medical relationship with the patient;
(4) The inability to
obtain an appropriate medical history of the patient; and
(5) The time
constraints imposed by coexisting emergencies.
(b) “Traumatic injury”
means any acute injury which, according to standardized criteria for triage in
the field, involves a significant risk of death or the precipitation of
complications or disabilities.
Sec. 5. 1. Any physician, registered nurse or licensed
practical nurse who in good faith gives instruction or provides supervision to an
emergency medical attendant, registered nurse or licensed practical nurse at
the scene of an emergency, or while transporting an ill or injured person from
the scene of an emergency, is not liable for any civil damages as a result of
any act or omission, not amounting to gross negligence, in giving that
instruction or providing that supervision. An emergency medical attendant,
registered nurse or licensed practical nurse who obeys an instruction given by
a physician, registered nurse or licensed practical nurse and thereby renders
emergency care, at the scene of an emergency or while transporting an ill or
injured person from the scene of an emergency, is not liable for any civil
damages as a result of any act or omission, not amounting to gross negligence,
in rendering that emergency care.
2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection
3, any person licensed under the provisions of chapter 630, 632 or 633 of NRS
and any person who holds an equivalent license issued by another state who
renders emergency care or assistance in an emergency, gratuitously and in good
faith, is not liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission,
not amounting to gross negligence, by him in rendering the emergency care or
assistance or as a result of any failure to act, not amounting to gross
negligence, to provide or arrange for further medical treatment for the injured
or ill person. This section does not excuse a physician or nurse from liability
for damages resulting from his acts or omissions which occur in a licensed
medical facility relative to any person with whom there is a preexisting
relationship as a patient.
3. Any person licensed under the provisions of
chapter 630, 632 or 633 of NRS and any person who holds an equivalent license
issued by another state who renders emergency obstetrical care or assistance to
a pregnant woman during labor or the delivery of the child is not liable for
any civil damages as a result of any act or omission by him in rendering that
care or assistance if:
(a) The care or assistance
is rendered in good faith and in a manner not amounting to gross negligence or
reckless, willful or wanton conduct;
(b) The person has not
previously provided prenatal or obstetrical care to the woman; and
(c) The damages are
reasonably related to or primarily caused by a lack of prenatal care received
by the woman.
A licensed medical facility in which such care or assistance is
rendered is not liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission
by the person in rendering that care or assistance if that person is not liable
for any civil damages pursuant to this subsection and the actions of the
medical facility relating to the rendering of that care or assistance do not
amount to gross negligence or reckless, willful or wanton conduct.
4. Any person licensed under the provisions of
chapter 630, 632 or 633 of NRS and any person who holds an equivalent license
issued by another state who:
(a) Is retired or otherwise
does not practice on a full-time basis; and
(b) Gratuitously and in
good faith, renders medical care within the scope of his license to an indigent
person,
is not liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission
by him, not amounting to gross negligence or reckless, willful or wanton
conduct, in rendering that care.
5. Any person licensed to practice medicine
under the provisions of chapter 630 or 633 of NRS or licensed to practice
dentistry under the provisions of chapter 631 of NRS who renders care or
assistance to a patient at a health care facility of a governmental entity or a
nonprofit organization is not liable for any civil damages as a result of any
act or omission by him in rendering that care or assistance if the care or
assistance is rendered gratuitously, in good faith and in a manner not amounting
to gross negligence or reckless, willful or wanton conduct.
6. As used in this section:
(a) “Emergency medical
attendant” means a person licensed as an attendant or certified as an emergency
medical technician, intermediate emergency medical technician or advanced
emergency medical technician pursuant to chapter 450B of NRS.
(b) “Gratuitously” has the
meaning ascribed to it in NRS 41.500.
(c) “Health care facility”
has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 449.800.
Sec. 6. NRS 41.500 is
hereby amended to read as follows:
41.500 1. Except as otherwise provided in [NRS
41.505,] section 5 of this act, any
person in this state who renders emergency care or assistance in an emergency,
gratuitously and in good faith, is not liable for any civil damages as a result
of any act or omission, not amounting to gross negligence, by him in rendering
the emergency care or assistance or as a result of any act or failure to act,
not amounting to gross negligence, to provide or arrange for further medical
treatment for the injured person.
2. Any person in this
state who acts as a driver of an ambulance or attendant on an ambulance
operated by a volunteer service or as a volunteer driver or attendant on an
ambulance operated by a political subdivision of this state, or owned by the
Federal Government and operated by a contractor of the Federal Government, and
who in good faith renders emergency care or assistance to any injured or ill
person, whether at the scene of an emergency or while transporting an injured or
ill person to or from any clinic, doctor’s office or other medical facility, is
not liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission, not
amounting to gross negligence, by him in rendering the emergency care or
assistance, or as a result of any act or failure to act, not amounting to gross
negligence, to provide or arrange for further medical treatment for the injured
or ill person.
3. Any appointed member
of a volunteer service operating an ambulance or an appointed volunteer serving
on an ambulance operated by a political subdivision of this state, other than a
driver or attendant [,] of an ambulance, is not liable for any civil
damages as a result of any act or omission, not amounting to gross negligence,
by him whenever he is performing his duties in good faith.
4. Any person who is a
member of a search and rescue organization in this state under the direct
supervision of any county sheriff who in good faith renders care or assistance
in an emergency to any injured or ill person, whether at the scene of an
emergency or while transporting an injured or ill person to or from any clinic,
doctor’s office or other medical facility, is not liable for any civil damages
as a result of any act or omission, not amounting to gross negligence, by him
in rendering the emergency care or assistance, or as a result of any act or
failure to act, not amounting to gross negligence, to provide or arrange for
further medical treatment for the injured or ill person.
5. Any person who is
employed by or serves as a volunteer for a public fire-fighting agency and who
is authorized pursuant to chapter 450B of NRS to render emergency medical care
at the scene of an emergency is not liable for any civil damages as a result of
any act or omission, not amounting to gross negligence, by that person in
rendering that care or as a result of any act or failure to act, not amounting
to gross negligence, to provide or arrange for further medical treatment for
the injured or ill person.
6. Any person who:
(a) Has successfully completed a course in cardiopulmonary
resuscitation according to the guidelines of the American National Red Cross or
American Heart Association;
(b) Has successfully completed the training requirements of a
course in basic emergency care of a person in cardiac arrest conducted in
accordance with the standards of the American Heart Association; or
(c) Is directed by the instructions of a dispatcher for an
ambulance, air ambulance or other agency that provides emergency medical
services before its arrival at the scene of the emergency,
and who in good faith renders
cardiopulmonary resuscitation in accordance with his training or the direction,
other than in the course of his regular employment or profession, is not liable
for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission, not amounting to
gross negligence, by that person in rendering that care.
7. For the purposes of
subsection 6, a person who:
(a) Is required to be certified in the administration of
cardiopulmonary resuscitation pursuant to NRS 391.092; and
(b) In good faith renders cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the
property of a public school or in connection with a transportation of pupils to
or from a public school or while on activities that are part of the program of
a public school,
shall be presumed to have
acted other than in the course of his regular employment or profession.
8. Any person who:
(a) Has successfully completed a course in cardiopulmonary
resuscitation and training in the operation and use of an automated external
defibrillator that were conducted in accordance with the standards of the
American Heart Association or the American National Red Cross; and
(b) Gratuitously and in good faith renders emergency medical care
involving the use of an automated external defibrillator in accordance with his
training,
is not liable for any civil
damages as a result of any act or omission, not amounting to gross negligence,
by that person in rendering that care.
9. A person or
governmental entity that provided the requisite training set forth in
subsection 8 to a person who renders emergency care in accordance with
subsection 8 is not liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or
omission, not amounting to gross negligence, by the person rendering such care.
10. A business or
organization that has placed an automated external defibrillator for use on its
premises is not liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or
omission, not amounting to gross negligence, by the person rendering such care
or for providing the automated external defibrillator to the person for the
purpose of rendering such care if the business or organization:
(a) Complies with all current federal and state regulations
governing the use and placement of an automated external defibrillator;
(b) Ensures that only a person who has at least the
qualifications set forth in subsection 8 uses the automated external
defibrillator to provide care;
(c) Ensures that the automated external defibrillator is
maintained and tested according to the operational guidelines established by
the manufacturer; and
(d) Establishes and maintains a program to ensure compliance with
current regulations, requirements for training, requirements for notification
of emergency medical assistance and guidelines for the maintenance of the
equipment.
11. As used in this
section, “gratuitously” means that the person receiving care or assistance is
not required or expected to pay any compensation or other remuneration for
receiving the care or assistance.
Sec. 7. Chapter 41A of NRS is hereby amended by
adding thereto the provisions set forth as sections 8 to 16, inclusive, of this
act.
Sec. 8. “Economic
damages” includes damages for medical treatment, care or custody, loss of
earnings and loss of earning capacity.
Sec. 9. “Noneconomic
damages” includes damages to compensate for pain, suffering, inconvenience,
physical impairment, disfigurement and other nonpecuniary damages.
Sec. 10. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2
and except as further limited in subsection 3, in an action for damages for
medical malpractice or dental malpractice, the noneconomic damages awarded to
each plaintiff from each defendant must not exceed $350,000.
2. In an action for damages for medical
malpractice or dental malpractice, the limitation on noneconomic damages set
forth in subsection 1 does not apply in a case in which, following return of a
verdict by the jury or a finding of damages in a bench trial, the court
determines, by clear and convincing evidence admitted at trial, that an award
in excess of $350,000 for noneconomic damages is justified because of
exceptional circumstances.
3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection
4, in an action for damages for medical malpractice or dental malpractice, in
the circumstances and types of cases described in subsections 1 and 2, the
noneconomic damages awarded to each plaintiff from each defendant must not
exceed the amount of money remaining under the professional liability insurance
policy limit covering the defendant after subtracting the economic damages
awarded to that plaintiff. Irrespective of the number of plaintiffs in the
action, in no event may any single defendant be liable to the plaintiffs in the
aggregate in excess of the professional liability insurance policy limit
covering that defendant.
4. The limitation set forth in subsection 3
does not apply in an action for damages for medical malpractice or dental
malpractice unless the defendant was covered by professional liability
insurance at the time of the occurrence of the alleged malpractice and on the
date on which the insurer receives notice of the claim, in an amount of:
(a) Not less than
$1,000,000 per occurrence; and
(b) Not less than
$3,000,000 in the aggregate.
5. This section is not intended to limit the
responsibility of any defendant for the total economic damages awarded.
Sec. 11. 1. In an action for damages for medical
malpractice or dental malpractice, each defendant is liable for noneconomic
damages severally only, and not jointly, to the plaintiff only for that portion
of the judgment which represents the percentage of negligence attributable to
the defendant.
2. As used in this section, “medical
malpractice” means the failure of a physician, hospital, employee of a
hospital, certified nurse midwife or certified registered nurse anesthetist in
rendering services to use the reasonable care, skill or knowledge ordinarily
used under similar circumstances.
Sec. 12. 1. Upon the motion of any party or upon its own
motion, unless good cause is shown for the delay, the court shall, after due
notice to the parties, dismiss an action involving medical malpractice or
dental malpractice if the action is not brought to trial within:
(a) Three years after the
date on which the action is filed, if the action is filed on or after October
1, 2002, but before October 1, 2005.
(b) Two years after the
date on which the action is filed, if the action is filed on or after October
1, 2005.
2. Dismissal of an action pursuant to
subsection 1 is a bar to the filing of another action upon the same claim for
relief against the same defendants.
3. Each district court shall adopt court rules
to expedite the resolution of an action involving medical malpractice or dental
malpractice.
Sec. 13. If an
action for medical malpractice or dental malpractice is filed in the district
court, the district court shall dismiss the action, without prejudice, if the
action is filed without an affidavit, supporting the allegations contained in
the action, submitted by a medical expert who practices or has practiced in an
area that is substantially similar to the type of practice engaged in at the
time of the alleged malpractice.
Sec. 14. 1. In an action for medical malpractice or
dental malpractice, upon agreement of all the parties to the action or if
ordered by the district judge assigned to the action, all the parties to the
action, the insurers of the respective parties and the attorneys of the
respective parties shall attend and participate in a settlement conference
before a district judge, other than the judge assigned to the action, to
ascertain whether the action may be settled by the parties before trial.
2. The judge before whom the settlement
conference is held:
(a) May, for good cause
shown, waive the attendance of any party.
(b) Shall decide what
information the parties may submit at the settlement conference.
(c) Shall notify the
parties of the time and place of the settlement conference.
3. The failure of any party, his insurer or his
attorney to participate in good faith in any such settlement conference is
grounds for sanctions against the party or his attorney, or both.
Sec. 15. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection
3, an action for injury or death against a provider of health care may not be
commenced more than 4 years after the date of injury or 2 years after the
plaintiff discovers or through the use of reasonable diligence should have
discovered the injury, whichever occurs first, for:
(a) Injury to or the
wrongful death of a person occurring before October 1, 2002, based upon alleged
professional negligence of the provider of health care;
(b) Injury to or the
wrongful death of a person occurring before October 1, 2002, from professional
services rendered without consent; or
(c) Injury to or the
wrongful death of a person occurring before October 1, 2002, from error or
omission in practice by the provider of health care.
2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection
3, an action for injury or death against a provider of health care may not be
commenced more than 3 years after the date of injury or 2 years after the
plaintiff discovers or through the use of reasonable diligence should have
discovered the injury, whichever occurs first, for:
(a) Injury to or the
wrongful death of a person occurring on or after October 1, 2002, based upon
alleged professional negligence of the provider of health care;
(b) Injury to or the
wrongful death of a person occurring on or after October 1, 2002, from
professional services rendered without consent; or
(c) Injury to or the
wrongful death of a person occurring on or after October 1, 2002, from error or
omission in practice by the provider of health care.
3. The time limitations set forth in this
section are tolled for any period during which the provider of health care has
concealed any act, error or omission upon which the action is based and which
is known or through the use of reasonable diligence should have been known to
him.
4. For the purposes of this section, the
parent, guardian or legal custodian of any minor child is responsible for
exercising reasonable judgment in determining whether to prosecute any cause of
action limited by subsection 1 or 2. If the parent, guardian or custodian fails
to commence an action on behalf of that child within the prescribed period of
limitations, the child may not bring an action based on the same alleged injury
against any provider of health care upon the removal of his disability, except
that in the case of:
(a) Brain damage or birth
defect, the period of limitation is extended until the child attains 10 years
of age.
(b) Sterility, the period
of limitation is extended until 2 years after the child discovers the injury.
5. As used in this section, “provider of health
care” means a physician licensed under chapter 630 or 633 of NRS, a dentist,
registered nurse, dispensing optician, optometrist, registered physical
therapist, podiatric physician, licensed psychologist, chiropractor, doctor of
Oriental medicine, medical laboratory director or technician, or a licensed
hospital as the employer of any such person.
Sec. 16. 1. Liability for personal injury or death is
not imposed upon any provider of medical care based on alleged negligence in
the performance of that care unless evidence consisting of expert medical
testimony, material from recognized medical texts or treatises or the
regulations of the licensed medical facility wherein the alleged negligence
occurred is presented to demonstrate the alleged deviation from the accepted
standard of care in the specific circumstances of the case and to prove
causation of the alleged personal injury or death, except that such evidence is
not required and a rebuttable presumption that the personal injury or death was
caused by negligence arises where evidence is presented that the personal
injury or death occurred in any one or more of the following circumstances:
(a) A foreign substance
other than medication or a prosthetic device was unintentionally left within
the body of a patient following surgery;
(b) An explosion or fire
originating in a substance used in treatment occurred in the course of
treatment;
(c) An unintended burn
caused by heat, radiation or chemicals was suffered in the course of medical
care;
(d) An injury was suffered
during the course of treatment to a part of the body not directly involved in
the treatment or proximate thereto; or
(e) A surgical procedure
was performed on the wrong patient or the wrong organ, limb or part of a
patient’s body.
2. Expert medical testimony provided pursuant
to subsection 1 may only be given by a provider of medical care who practices
or has practiced in an area that is substantially similar to the type of
practice engaged in at the time of the alleged negligence.
3. As used in this section, “provider of
medical care” means a physician, dentist, registered nurse or a licensed
hospital as the employer of any such person.
Sec. 17. Chapter 42 of NRS is hereby amended by
adding thereto a new section to read as follows:
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection
2, in any action for damages for medical malpractice or dental malpractice, the
amount of damages, if any, awarded in the action must be reduced by the amount
of any prior payment made by or on behalf of the provider of health care
against whom the action is brought to the injured person or to the claimant to
meet reasonable expenses of medical care, other essential goods or services or
reasonable living expenses.
2. In any action described in subsection 1 in
which liability for medical malpractice or dental malpractice is established or
admitted, the court shall, before the entry of judgment, hold a separate
hearing to determine if any expenses incurred by the claimant for medical care,
dental care, loss of income or other financial loss have been paid or
reimbursed as a benefit from a collateral source. If the court determines that
a claimant has received such a benefit, the court shall reduce the amount of
damages, if any, awarded in the action by the amount of the benefit. The amount
so reduced must not include any amount for which there is a right of
subrogation to the rights of the claimant if the right of subrogation is
exercised by serving a notice of lien on the claimant before the settlement of
or the entry of judgment in the action. Notice of the action must be provided
by the claimant to any statutory holder of a lien.
3. If future economic damages are awarded in an
action for medical malpractice or dental malpractice, the court may, at the
request of the claimant, order the award to be paid:
(a) In a lump sum which has
been reduced to its present value as determined by the trier of fact and
approved by the court; or
(b) Subject to the
provisions of subsections 5 and 6 and the discretion of the court, in periodic
payments either by an annuity purchased to provide periodic payments or by
other means if the defendant posts an adequate bond or other security to ensure
full payment by periodic payments of the damages awarded by the judgment.
As used in this subsection, “future economic damages” includes damages
for future medical treatment, care or custody, and loss of future earnings.
4. If the claimant receives periodic payments
pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 3, the award must not be reduced to its
present value. The amount of the periodic payments must be equal to the total
amount of all future damages awarded by the trier of fact and approved by the
court. The period for which the periodic payments must be made must be
determined by the trier of fact and approved by the court. Before the entry of
judgment, each party shall submit to the court a plan specifying the recipient
of the payments, the amount of the payments and a schedule of periodic payments
for the award. Upon receipt and review of the plans, the court shall specify in
its judgment rendered in the action the recipient of the payments, the amount
of the payments and a schedule of payments for the award.
5. If an annuity is purchased pursuant to
paragraph (b) of subsection 3, the claimant shall select the provider of the
annuity. Upon purchase of the annuity, the claimant shall:
(a) Execute a satisfaction
of judgment or a stipulation for dismissal of the claim with prejudice; and
(b) Release forever the
defendant and his insurer, if any, from any obligation to make periodic
payments pursuant to the award.
6. If the defendant posts a bond or other
security pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 3, upon termination of the
payment of periodic payments of damages, the court shall order the return of
the bond or other security, or as much as remains, to the defendant.
7. As used in this section:
(a) “Benefit from a
collateral source” means any money, service or other benefit which is paid or
provided or is reasonably likely to be paid or provided to a claimant for
personal injury or wrongful death pursuant to:
(1) A state or federal
act which provides benefits for sickness, disability, accidents, loss of income
or workers’ compensation;
(2) A policy of
insurance which provides health benefits or coverage for loss of income;
(3) A contract of any
group, organization, partnership or corporation which provides, pays or
reimburses the cost of medical, hospital or dental benefits or benefits for
loss of income; or
(4) Any other publicly
or privately funded program which provides such benefits.
(b) “Dental malpractice”
has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 631.075.
(c) “Medical malpractice”
has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 41A.009.
Sec. 18. Chapter 1 of NRS is hereby amended by adding
thereto a new section to read as follows:
Under the direction of the
Supreme Court, the Court Administrator shall:
1. Examine the administrative procedures
employed in the offices of the judges, clerks, court reporters and employees of
all courts of this state and make recommendations, through the Chief Justice,
for the improvement of those procedures;
2. Examine the condition of the dockets of the
courts and determine the need for assistance by any court;
3. Make recommendations to and carry out the
directions of the Chief Justice relating to the assignment of district judges
where district courts are in need of assistance;
4. Develop a uniform system for collecting and
compiling statistics and other data regarding the operation of the State Court
System and transmit that information to the Supreme Court so that proper action
may be taken in respect thereto;
5. Prepare and submit a budget of state
appropriations necessary for the maintenance and operation of the State Court
System and make recommendations in respect thereto;
6. Develop procedures for accounting, internal
auditing, procurement and disbursement for the State Court System;
7. Collect statistical and other data and make
reports relating to the expenditure of all public money for the maintenance and
operation of the State Court System and the offices connected therewith;
8. Compile statistics from the information
required to be maintained by the clerks of the district courts pursuant to NRS
3.275 and make reports as to the cases filed in the district courts;
9. Formulate and submit to the Supreme Court
recommendations of policies or proposed legislation for the improvement of the
State Court System;
10. On or before January 1 of each year, submit
to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau a written report compiling
the information submitted to the Court Administrator pursuant to NRS 3.243,
4.175 and 5.045 during the immediately preceding fiscal year;
11. On or before January
1 of each odd-numbered year, submit to the Director of the Legislative Counsel
Bureau a written report concerning:
(a) The distribution of money deposited in the special account
created pursuant to section 1 of Assembly Bill No. 29 of this session to
assist with funding and establishing specialty court programs;
(b) The current status of any specialty court programs
to which money from the account was allocated since the last report; and
(c) Such other related information as the Court Administrator
deems appropriate;
12. On or before February
15 of each odd-numbered year, submit to the Governor and to the Director of the
Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the next regular session of the
Legislature a written report compiling the information submitted by clerks of
courts to the Court Administrator pursuant to sections 51 and 59 of this act
which includes only aggregate information for statistical purposes and excludes
any identifying information related to a particular person; and
13. Attend to such other matters as may be
assigned by the Supreme Court or prescribed by law.
Sec. 19. Chapter 3 of NRS is hereby amended by adding
thereto a new section to read as follows:
1. The Supreme Court shall provide by court
rule for mandatory appropriate training concerning the complex issues of
medical malpractice litigation for each district judge to whom actions
involving medical malpractice are assigned.
2. Such training must consist of not less than
3 hours each year of continuing education concerning those issues.
Sec. 20. Chapter 7 of NRS is hereby amended by adding
thereto a new section to read as follows:
If a court finds that an
attorney has:
1. Filed, maintained or defended a civil action
or proceeding in any court in this state and such action or defense is not
well-grounded in fact or is not warranted by existing law or by an argument for
changing the existing law that is made in good faith; or
2. Unreasonably and vexatiously extended a
civil action or proceeding before any court in this state,
the court shall require the attorney personally to pay the additional
costs, expenses and attorney’s fees reasonably incurred because of such
conduct.
Sec. 21. Chapter 439 of NRS is hereby amended by
adding thereto the provisions set forth as sections 22 to 40, inclusive, of
this act.
Sec. 22. As
used in sections 22 to 40, inclusive, of this act, unless the context otherwise
requires, the words and terms defined in sections 23 to 28, inclusive, of this
act have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.
Sec. 23. “Medical
facility” means:
1. A hospital, as that term is defined in NRS
449.012 and 449.0151;
2. An obstetric center, as that term is defined
in NRS 449.0151 and 449.0155;
3. A surgical center for ambulatory patients,
as that term is defined in NRS 449.0151 and 449.019; and
4. An independent center for emergency medical
care, as that term is defined NRS 449.013 and 449.0151.
Sec. 24. “Patient”
means a person who:
1. Is admitted to a medical facility for the
purpose of receiving treatment;
2. Resides in a medical facility; or
3. Receives treatment from a provider of health
care.
Sec. 25. “Patient
safety officer” means a person who is designated as such by a medical facility
pursuant to section 36 of this act.
Sec. 26. “Provider
of health care” means a person who is licensed, certified or otherwise
authorized by the laws of this state to administer health care in the ordinary
course of the business or practice of a profession.
Sec. 27. “Repository”
means the Repository for Health Care Quality Assurance created by section 32 of
this act.
Sec. 28. “Sentinel
event” means an unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or
psychological injury or the risk thereof, including, without limitation, any
process variation for which a recurrence would carry a significant chance of a
serious adverse outcome. The term includes loss of limb or function.
Sec. 29. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection
2:
(a) A person who is
employed by a medical facility shall, within 24 hours after becoming aware of a
sentinel event that occurred at the medical facility, notify the patient safety
officer of the facility of the sentinel event; and
(b) The patient safety
officer shall, within 13 days after receiving notification pursuant to
paragraph (a), report the date, the time and a brief description of the
sentinel event to:
(1) The Health
Division; and
(2) The representative
designated pursuant to section 33 of this act, if that person is different from
the patient safety officer.
2. If the patient safety officer of a medical
facility personally discovers or becomes aware, in the absence of notification
by another employee, of a sentinel event that occurred at the medical facility,
the patient safety officer shall, within 14 days after discovering or becoming
aware of the sentinel event, report the date, time and brief description of the
sentinel event to:
(a) The Health Division;
and
(b) The representative
designated pursuant to section 33 of this act, if that person is different from
the patient safety officer.
3. The Administrator shall prescribe the manner
in which reports of sentinel events must be made pursuant to this section.
Sec. 30. 1. The Health Division shall, to the extent of
legislative appropriation and authorization:
(a) Collect and maintain
reports received pursuant to section 29 of this act; and
(b) Ensure that such
reports, and any additional documents created from such reports, are protected
adequately from fire, theft, loss, destruction and other hazards and from
unauthorized access.
2. Reports received pursuant to section 29 of
this act are confidential, not subject to subpoena or discovery and not subject
to inspection by the general public.
Sec. 31. 1. The Health Division shall, to the extent of
legislative appropriation and authorization, contract with a quality
improvement organization, as defined in 42 C.F.R. § 400.200, to
analyze and report trends regarding sentinel events.
2. When the Health Division receives notice
from a medical facility that the medical facility has taken corrective action
to remedy the causes or contributing factors, or both, of a sentinel event, the
Health Division shall:
(a) Make a record of the
information;
(b) Ensure that the
information is aggregated so as not to reveal the identity of a specific person
or medical facility; and
(c) Transmit the
information to a quality improvement organization.
3. A quality improvement organization to whom
information is transmitted pursuant to subsection 2 shall, at least quarterly,
report its findings regarding the analysis of aggregated trends of sentinel
events to the Repository.
Sec. 32. 1. The Repository for Health Care Quality
Assurance is hereby created within the Health Division.
2. The Repository shall, to the extent of
legislative appropriation and authorization, function as a clearinghouse of
information relating to aggregated trends of sentinel events.
Sec. 33. 1. Each medical facility that is located within
this state shall designate a representative for the notification of patients
who have been involved in sentinel events at that medical facility.
2. A representative designated pursuant to
subsection 1 shall, not later than 7 days after discovering or becoming aware
of a sentinel event that occurred at the medical facility, provide notice of
that fact to each patient who was involved in that sentinel event.
3. The provision of notice to a patient
pursuant to subsection 2 must not, in any action or proceeding, be considered
an acknowledgment or admission of liability.
4. A representative designated pursuant to subsection
1 may or may not be the same person who serves as the facility’s patient safety
officer.
Sec. 34. Any
report, document and any other information compiled or disseminated pursuant to
the provisions of sections 22 to 40, inclusive, of this act is not admissible
in evidence in any administrative or legal proceeding conducted in this state.
Sec. 35. 1. Each medical facility that is located within
this state shall develop, in consultation with the providers of health care who
provide treatment to patients at the medical facility, an internal patient
safety plan to improve the health and safety of patients who are treated at
that medical facility.
2. A medical facility shall submit its patient
safety plan to the governing board of the medical facility for approval in
accordance with the requirements of this section.
3. After a medical facility’s patient safety
plan is approved, the medical facility shall notify all providers of health
care who provide treatment to patients at the medical facility of the existence
of the plan and of the requirements of the plan. A medical facility shall
require compliance with its patient safety plan.
Sec. 36. 1. A medical facility shall designate an
officer or employee of the facility to serve as the patient safety officer of
the medical facility.
2. The person who is designated as the patient
safety officer of a medical facility shall:
(a) Serve on the patient
safety committee.
(b) Supervise the reporting
of all sentinel events alleged to have occurred at the medical facility,
including, without limitation, performing the duties required pursuant to
section 29 of this act.
(c) Take such action as he
determines to be necessary to ensure the safety of patients as a result of an
investigation of any sentinel event alleged to have occurred at the medical
facility.
(d) Report to the patient
safety committee regarding any action taken in accordance with paragraph (c).
Sec. 37. 1. A medical facility shall establish a patient
safety committee.
2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection
3:
(a) A patient safety
committee established pursuant to subsection 1 must be composed of:
(1) The patient safety
officer of the medical facility.
(2) At least three
providers of health care who treat patients at the medical facility, including,
without limitation, at least one member of the medical, nursing and
pharmaceutical staff of the medical facility.
(3) One member of the
executive or governing body of the medical facility.
(b) A patient safety
committee shall meet at least once each month.
3. The Administrator shall adopt regulations
prescribing the composition and frequency of meetings of patient safety
committees at medical facilities having fewer than 25 employees and
contractors.
4. A patient safety committee shall:
(a) Receive reports from
the patient safety officer pursuant to section 36 of this act.
(b) Evaluate actions of the
patient safety officer in connection with all reports of sentinel events
alleged to have occurred at the medical facility.
(c) Review and evaluate the
quality of measures carried out by the medical facility to improve the safety
of patients who receive treatment at the medical facility.
(d) Make recommendations to
the executive or governing body of the medical facility to reduce the number
and severity of sentinel events that occur at the medical facility.
(e) At least once each
calendar quarter, report to the executive or governing body of the medical
facility regarding:
(1) The number of
sentinel events that occurred at the medical facility during the preceding
calendar quarter; and
(2) Any recommendations
to reduce the number and severity of sentinel events that occur at the medical
facility.
5. The proceedings and records of a patient
safety committee are subject to the same privilege and protection from
discovery as the proceedings and records described in NRS 49.265.
Sec. 38. No
person is subject to any criminal penalty or civil liability for libel, slander
or any similar cause of action in tort if he, without malice:
1. Reports a sentinel event to a governmental
entity with jurisdiction or another appropriate authority;
2. Notifies a governmental entity with
jurisdiction or another appropriate authority of a sentinel event;
3. Transmits information regarding a sentinel
event to a governmental entity with jurisdiction or another appropriate
authority;
4. Compiles, prepares or disseminates
information regarding a sentinel event to a governmental entity with
jurisdiction or another appropriate authority; or
5. Performs any other act authorized pursuant
to sections 22 to 40, inclusive, of this act.
Sec. 39. If a
medical facility:
1. Commits a violation of any provision of
sections 22 to 40, inclusive, of this act or any violation for which an
administrative sanction pursuant to NRS 449.163 would otherwise be applicable;
and
2. Of its own volition, reports the violation
to the Administrator,
such a violation must not be used as the basis for imposing an
administrative sanction pursuant to NRS 449.163.
Sec. 40. The
Administrator shall adopt such regulations as the Administrator determines to
be necessary or advisable to carry out the provisions of sections 22 to 40,
inclusive, of this act.
Sec. 41. Chapter 449 of NRS is hereby amended by
adding thereto the provisions set forth as sections 42 and 43 of this act.
Sec. 42. 1. A medical facility or any agent or employee
thereof shall not retaliate or discriminate unfairly against an employee of the
medical facility or a person acting on behalf of the employee who in good
faith:
(a) Reports to the Board of
Medical Examiners or the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, as applicable,
information relating to the conduct of a physician which may constitute grounds
for initiating disciplinary action against the physician or which otherwise
raises a reasonable question regarding the competence of the physician to
practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients;
(b) Reports a sentinel
event to the Health Division pursuant to section 29 of this act; or
(c) Cooperates or otherwise
participates in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the Board of
Medical Examiners, the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine or another
governmental entity relating to conduct described in paragraph (a) or (b).
2. A medical facility or any agent or employee
thereof shall not retaliate or discriminate unfairly against an employee of the
medical facility because the employee has taken an action described in
subsection 1.
3. A medical facility or any agent or employee
thereof shall not prohibit, restrict or attempt to prohibit or restrict by
contract, policy, procedure or any other manner the right of an employee of the
medical facility to take an action described in subsection 1.
4. As used in this section:
(a) “Physician” means a
person licensed to practice medicine pursuant to chapter 630 or 633 of NRS.
(b) “Retaliate or
discriminate”:
(1) Includes, without
limitation, the following action if such action is taken solely because the
employee took an action described in subsection 1:
(I) Frequent or
undesirable changes in the location where the employee works;
(II) Frequent or
undesirable transfers or reassignments;
(III) The issuance
of letters of reprimand, letters of admonition or evaluations of poor
performance;
(IV) A demotion;
(V) A reduction in
pay;
(VI) The denial of
a promotion;
(VII) A suspension;
(VIII) A dismissal;
(IX) A transfer; or
(X) Frequent
changes in working hours or workdays.
(2) Does not include
action described in sub-subparagraphs (I) to (X), inclusive, of subparagraph
(1) if the action is taken in the normal course of employment or as a form of
discipline.
Sec. 43. An
employee of a medical facility who believes that he has been retaliated or
discriminated against in violation of section 42 of this act may file an action
in a court of competent jurisdiction for such relief as may be appropriate
under the law.
Sec. 44. Chapter 630 of NRS is hereby amended by
adding thereto the provisions set forth as sections 45 to 51, inclusive, of
this act.
Sec. 45. 1. In addition to the other powers and duties
provided in this chapter, the Board shall:
(a) Enforce the provisions
of this chapter;
(b) Establish by regulation
standards for licensure under this chapter;
(c) Conduct examinations
for licensure and establish a system of scoring for those examinations;
(d) Investigate the
character of each applicant for a license and issue licenses to those
applicants who meet the qualifications set by this chapter and the Board; and
(e) Institute a proceeding
in any court to enforce its orders or the provisions of this chapter.
2. On or before February 15 of each
odd-numbered year, the Board shall submit to the Governor and to the Director
of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the next regular session
of the Legislature a written report compiling:
(a) Disciplinary action
taken by the Board during the previous biennium against physicians for
malpractice or negligence; and
(b) Information reported to
the Board during the previous biennium pursuant to section 50 of this act,
subsections 2 and 3 of section 51 of this act and section 62 of this act.
The report must include only aggregate information for statistical
purposes and exclude any identifying information related to a particular
person.
3. The Board may adopt such regulations as are
necessary or desirable to enable it to carry out the provisions of this
chapter.
Sec. 46. 1. Each holder of a license to practice
medicine must, on or before July 1 of each alternate year:
(a) Submit the statement
required pursuant to NRS 630.197;
(b) Submit a list of all
actions filed or claims submitted to arbitration or mediation for malpractice
or negligence against him during the previous 2 years; and
(c) Pay to the
Secretary-Treasurer of the Board the applicable fee for biennial registration.
This fee must be collected for the period for which a physician is licensed.
2. When a holder of a license fails to pay the
fee for biennial registration and submit the statement required pursuant to NRS
630.197 after they become due, his license to practice medicine in this state
is automatically suspended. The holder may, within 2 years after the date his
license is suspended, upon payment of twice the amount of the current fee for
biennial registration to the Secretary-Treasurer and submission of the
statement required pursuant to NRS 630.197 and after he is found to be in good
standing and qualified under the provisions of this chapter, be reinstated to
practice.
3. The Board shall make such reasonable
attempts as are practicable to notify a licensee:
(a) At least once that his
fee for biennial registration and the statement required pursuant to NRS
630.197 are due; and
(b) That his license is
suspended.
A copy of this notice must be sent to the Drug Enforcement
Administration of the United States Department of Justice or its successor
agency.
Sec. 47. 1. A physician or any agent or employee thereof
shall not retaliate or discriminate unfairly against an employee of the
physician or a person acting on behalf of the employee who in good faith:
(a) Reports to the Board
information relating to the conduct of the physician which may constitute
grounds for initiating disciplinary action against the physician or which otherwise
raises a reasonable question regarding the competence of the physician to
practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients;
(b) Reports a sentinel
event to the Health Division pursuant to section 29 of this act; or
(c) Cooperates or otherwise
participates in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the Board or
another governmental entity relating to conduct described in paragraph (a) or
(b).
2. A physician or any agent or employee thereof
shall not retaliate or discriminate unfairly against an employee of the
physician because the employee has taken an action described in subsection 1.
3. A physician or any agent or employee thereof
shall not prohibit, restrict or attempt to prohibit or restrict by contract,
policy, procedure or any other manner the right of an employee of the physician
to take an action described in subsection 1.
4. As used in this section, “retaliate or
discriminate”:
(a) Includes, without
limitation, the following action if such action is taken solely because the
employee took an action described in subsection 1:
(1) Frequent or
undesirable changes in the location where the employee works;
(2) Frequent or
undesirable transfers or reassignments;
(3) The issuance of
letters of reprimand, letters of admonition or evaluations of poor performance;
(4) A demotion;
(5) A reduction in pay;
(6) The denial of a
promotion;
(7) A suspension;
(8) A dismissal;
(9) A transfer; or
(10) Frequent changes
in working hours or workdays.
(b) Does not include action
described in subparagraphs (1) to (10), inclusive, of paragraph (a) if the
action is taken in the normal course of employment or as a form of discipline.
Sec. 48. An
employee of a physician who believes that he has been retaliated or
discriminated against in violation of section 47 of this act may file an action
in a court of competent jurisdiction for such relief as may be appropriate.
Sec. 49. The
following acts, among others, constitute grounds for initiating disciplinary
action or denying licensure:
1. Failure to maintain timely, legible,
accurate and complete medical records relating to the diagnosis, treatment and
care of a patient.
2. Altering medical records of a patient.
3. Making or filing a report which the licensee
knows to be false, failing to file a record or report as required by law or
willfully obstructing or inducing another to obstruct such filing.
4. Failure to make the medical records of a
patient available for inspection and copying as provided in NRS 629.061.
5. Failure to comply with the requirements of
section 50 of this act.
6. Failure to report any person the licensee
knows, or has reason to know, is in violation of the provisions of this chapter
or the regulations of the Board.
Sec. 50. 1. The insurer of a physician licensed under
this chapter and the physician must report to the Board any action filed or
claim submitted to arbitration or mediation for malpractice or negligence
against the physician and the settlement, award, judgment or other disposition
of the action or claim within 45 days after:
(a) The action was filed or
the claim was submitted to arbitration or mediation; and
(b) The disposition of the
action or claim.
2. The Board shall report any failure to comply
with subsection 1 by an insurer licensed in this state to the Division of
Insurance of the Department of Business and Industry. If, after a hearing, the
Division of Insurance determines that any such insurer failed to comply with
the requirements of subsection 1, the Division may impose an administrative
fine of not more than $15,000 against the insurer for each such failure to
report. If the administrative fine is not paid when due, the fine must be
recovered in a civil action brought by the Attorney General on behalf of the
Division.
Sec. 51. 1. Any person, medical school or medical
facility that becomes aware that a person practicing medicine or respiratory
care in this state has, is or is about to become engaged in conduct which
constitutes grounds for initiating disciplinary action shall file a written
complaint with the Board within 45 days after becoming aware of the conduct.
2. Any hospital, clinic or other medical
facility licensed in this state, or medical society, shall report to the Board
any change in a physician’s privileges to practice medicine while the physician
is under investigation and the outcome of any disciplinary action taken by that
facility or society against the physician concerning the care of a patient or
the competency of the physician within 45 days after the change in privileges
is made or disciplinary action is taken. The Board shall report any failure to
comply with this subsection by a hospital, clinic or other medical facility
licensed in this state to the Health Division of the Department of Human Resources.
If, after a hearing, the Health Division determines that any such facility or
society failed to comply with the requirements of this subsection, the Health
Division may impose an administrative fine of not more than $15,000 against the
facility or society for each such failure to report. If the administrative fine
is not paid when due, the fine must be recovered in a civil action brought by
the Attorney General on behalf of the Health Division.
3. The clerk of every court shall report to the
Board any finding, judgment or other determination of the court that a
physician, physician assistant or practitioner of respiratory care:
(a) Is mentally ill;
(b) Is mentally
incompetent;
(c) Has been convicted of a
felony or any law governing controlled substances or dangerous drugs;
(d) Is guilty of abuse or
fraud under any state or federal program providing medical assistance; or
(e) Is liable for damages
for malpractice or negligence,
within 45 days after such a finding, judgment or determination is made.
4. On or before January 15 of each year, the
clerk of each court shall submit to the Office of Court Administrator created
pursuant to NRS 1.320 a written report compiling the information that the clerk
reported during the previous year to the Board regarding physicians pursuant to
paragraph (e) of subsection 3.
Sec. 52. Chapter 633 of NRS is hereby amended by
adding thereto the provisions set forth as sections 53 to 59, inclusive, of
this act.
Sec. 53. 1. On or before February 15 of each odd-numbered
year, the Board shall submit to the Governor and to the Director of the
Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the next regular session of the
Legislature a written report compiling:
(a) Disciplinary action
taken by the Board during the previous biennium against osteopathic physicians
for malpractice or negligence; and
(b) Information reported to
the Board during the previous biennium pursuant to section 58 of this act,
subsections 2 and 3 of section 59 of this act and section 62 of this act.
2. The report must include only aggregate
information for statistical purposes and exclude any identifying information
related to a particular person.
Sec. 54. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3
and in NRS 633.491, every holder of a license issued under this chapter, except
a temporary or a special license, may renew his license on or before January 1
of each calendar year after its issuance by:
(a) Applying for renewal on
forms provided by the Board;
(b) Submitting the
statement required pursuant to NRS 633.326;
(c) Paying the annual
license renewal fee specified in this chapter;
(d) Submitting a list of
all actions filed or claims submitted to arbitration or mediation for
malpractice or negligence against him during the previous year; and
(e) Submitting verified
evidence satisfactory to the Board that in the year preceding the application
for renewal he has attended courses or programs of continuing education
approved by the Board totaling a number of hours established by the Board which
must not be less than 35 hours or more than that set in the requirements
for continuing medical education of the American Osteopathic Association.
2. The Secretary of the Board shall notify each
licensee of the requirements for renewal not less than 30 days before the date
of renewal.
3. Members of the Armed Forces of the United
States and the United States Public Health Service are exempt from payment of
the annual license renewal fee during their active duty status.
Sec. 55. 1. An osteopathic physician or any agent or
employee thereof shall not retaliate or discriminate unfairly against an
employee of the osteopathic physician or a person acting on behalf of the
employee who in good faith:
(a) Reports to the Board
information relating to the conduct of the osteopathic physician which may
constitute grounds for initiating disciplinary action against the osteopathic
physician or which otherwise raises a reasonable question regarding the
competence of the osteopathic physician to practice medicine with reasonable
skill and safety to patients;
(b) Reports a sentinel
event to the Health Division pursuant to section 29 of this act; or
(c) Cooperates or otherwise
participates in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the Board or
another governmental entity relating to conduct described in paragraph (a) or
(b).
2. An osteopathic physician or any agent or
employee thereof shall not retaliate or discriminate unfairly against an
employee of the osteopathic physician because the employee has taken an action
described in subsection 1.
3. An osteopathic physician or any agent or
employee thereof shall not prohibit, restrict or attempt to prohibit or
restrict by contract, policy, procedure or any other manner the right of an
employee of the osteopathic physician to take an action described in subsection
1.
4. As used in this section, “retaliate or
discriminate”:
(a) Includes, without
limitation, the following action if such action is taken solely because the
employee took an action described in subsection 1:
(1) Frequent or
undesirable changes in the location where the employee works;
(2) Frequent or
undesirable transfers or reassignments;
(3) The issuance of
letters of reprimand, letters of admonition or evaluations of poor performance;
(4) A demotion;
(5) A reduction in pay;
(6) The denial of a
promotion;
(7) A suspension;
(8) A dismissal;
(9) A transfer; or
(10) Frequent changes
in working hours or workdays.
(b) Does not include action
described in paragraphs (1) to (10), inclusive, of paragraph (a) if the action
is taken in the normal course of employment or as a form of discipline.
Sec. 56. An
employee of an osteopathic physician who believes that he has been retaliated
or discriminated against in violation of section 55 of this act may file an
action in a court of competent jurisdiction for such relief as may be
appropriate under the law.
Sec. 57. The
grounds for initiating disciplinary action pursuant to this chapter are:
1. Unprofessional conduct.
2. Conviction of:
(a) A violation of any
federal or state law regulating the possession, distribution or use of any
controlled substance or any dangerous drug as defined in chapter 454 of NRS;
(b) A felony;
(c) A violation of any of
the provisions of NRS 616D.200, 616D.220, 616D.240 or 616D.300 to 616D.440,
inclusive; or
(d) Any offense involving
moral turpitude.
3. The suspension of the license to practice
osteopathic medicine by any other jurisdiction.
4. Gross or repeated malpractice, which may be
evidenced by claims of malpractice settled against a practitioner.
5. Professional incompetence.
6. Failure to comply with the requirements of
section 58 of this act.
Sec. 58. 1. The insurer of an osteopathic physician
licensed under this chapter and the osteopathic physician must report to the
Board any action filed or claim submitted to arbitration or mediation for
malpractice or negligence against the osteopathic physician and the settlement,
award, judgment or other disposition of the action or claim within 45 days
after:
(a) The action was filed or
the claim was submitted to arbitration or mediation; and
(b) The disposition of the
action or claim.
2. The Board shall report any failure to comply
with subsection 1 by an insurer licensed in this state to the Division of
Insurance of the Department of Business and Industry. If, after a hearing, the
Division of Insurance determines that any such insurer failed to comply with
the requirements of subsection 1, the Division may impose an administrative
fine of not more than $15,000 against the insurer for each such failure to
report. If the administrative fine is not paid when due, the fine must be
recovered in a civil action brought by the Attorney General on behalf of the
Division.
Sec. 59. 1. Any person, medical school or medical
facility that becomes aware that a person practicing osteopathic medicine in
this state has, is or is about to become engaged in conduct which constitutes
grounds for initiating disciplinary action shall file a written complaint with
the Board within 45 days after becoming aware of the conduct.
2. Any hospital, clinic or other medical
facility licensed in this state, or medical society, shall report to the Board
any change in an osteopathic physician’s privileges to practice osteopathic medicine
while the osteopathic physician is under investigation and the outcome of any
disciplinary action taken by that facility or society against the osteopathic
physician concerning the care of a patient or the competency of the osteopathic
physician within 45 days after the change in privileges is made or
disciplinary action is taken. The Board shall report any failure to comply with
this subsection by a hospital, clinic or other medical facility licensed in
this state to the Health Division of the Department of Human Resources. If,
after a hearing, the Health Division determines that any such facility or
society failed to comply with the requirements of this subsection, the Health
Division may impose an administrative fine of not more than $15,000 against the
facility or society for each such failure to report. If the administrative fine
is not paid when due, the fine must be recovered in a civil action brought by
the Attorney General on behalf of the Health Division.
3. The clerk of every court shall report to the
Board any finding, judgment or other determination of the court that an
osteopathic physician or osteopathic physician’s assistant:
(a) Is mentally ill;
(b) Is mentally
incompetent;
(c) Has been convicted of a
felony or any law governing controlled substances or dangerous drugs;
(d) Is guilty of abuse or
fraud under any state or federal program providing medical assistance; or
(e) Is liable for damages
for malpractice or negligence,
within 45 days after such a finding, judgment or determination is made.
4. On or before January 15 of each year, the
clerk of every court shall submit to the Office of Court Administrator created
pursuant to NRS 1.320 a written report compiling the information that the clerk
reported during the previous year to the Board regarding osteopathic physicians
pursuant to paragraph (e) of subsection 3.
Sec. 60. NRS 633.481
is hereby amended to read as follows:
633.481 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection
2, if a licensee fails to comply with the requirements of [NRS 633.471] section 54 of this act within 30 days
after the renewal date, the Board shall give 30 days’ notice of failure to
renew and of revocation of license by certified mail to the licensee at his
last address registered with the Board. If the license is not renewed before
the expiration of the 30 days’ notice, the license is automatically revoked
without any further notice or a hearing and the Board shall file a copy of the
notice with the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States Department
of Justice or its successor agency.
2. A licensee who fails
to meet the continuing education requirements for license renewal may apply to
the Board for a waiver of the requirements. The Board may grant a waiver for
that year only if it finds that the failure is due to the licensee’s
disability, military service or absence from the United States, or to
circumstances beyond the control of the licensee which are deemed by the Board
to excuse the failure.
3. A person whose license
is revoked under this section may apply to the Board for restoration of his
license upon:
(a) Payment of all past due renewal fees and the late payment fee
specified in this chapter;
(b) Submission of the statement required pursuant to NRS 633.326;
(c) Producing verified evidence satisfactory to the Board of
completion of the total number of hours of continuing education required for
the year preceding the renewal date and for each year succeeding the date of
revocation; and
(d) Stating under oath in writing that he has not withheld
information from the Board which if disclosed would furnish grounds for
disciplinary action under this chapter.
Sec. 61. Chapter 690B of NRS is hereby amended by
adding thereto the provisions set forth as sections 62 and 63 of this act.
Sec. 62. Except
as more is required in sections 50 and 58 of this act:
1. Each insurer which issues a policy of
insurance covering the liability of a practitioner licensed pursuant to
chapters 630 to 640, inclusive, of NRS for a breach of his professional duty
toward a patient shall report to the Board which licensed the practitioner
within 45 days each settlement or award made or judgment rendered by reason of
a claim, if the settlement, award or judgment is for more than $10,000, giving
the name and address of the claimant and the practitioner and the circumstances
of the case.
2. A practitioner licensed pursuant to chapters
630 to 640, inclusive, of NRS who does not have insurance covering liability
for a breach of his professional duty toward a patient shall report to the
Board which issued his license within 45
days of each settlement or award made or judgment rendered by reason of a
claim, if the settlement, award or judgment is for more than $10,000, giving
his name and address, the name and address of the claimant and the
circumstances of the case.
3. These reports are public records and must be
made available for public inspection within a reasonable time after they are
received by the licensing board.
Sec. 63. 1. Each insurer which issues a policy of
insurance covering the liability of a physician licensed under chapter 630 of
NRS or an osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 633 of NRS for a
breach of his professional duty toward a patient shall, within 45 days after a
claim is closed under the policy, submit a report to the Commissioner
concerning the claim. The report must include, without limitation:
(a) The name and address of
the claimant and the insured under the policy;
(b) A statement setting
forth the circumstances of the case;
(c) Information indicating
whether any payment was made on the claim and the amount of the payment, if
any; and
(d) The information
specified in subsection 2 of NRS 679B.144.
2. An insurer who fails to comply with the
provisions of subsection 1 is subject to the imposition of an administrative
fine pursuant to NRS 679B.460.
3. The Commissioner shall, within 45 days after
receiving a report from an insurer pursuant to this section, submit a report to
the Board of Medical Examiners or the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, as
applicable, setting forth the information provided to the Commissioner by the
insurer pursuant to this section.
Sec. 64. NRS 1.360, 3.029, 7.085, 41.503, 41.505,
41A.007, 41A.011, 41A.031, 41A.041, 41A.061, 41A.071, 41A.081, 41A.097,
41A.100, 42.020, 439.800, 439.805, 439.810, 439.815, 439.820, 439.825, 439.830,
439.835, 439.840, 439.845, 439.850, 439.855, 439.860, 439.865, 439.870,
439.875, 439.880, 439.885, 439.890, 449.205, 449.207, 630.130, 630.267,
630.293, 630.296, 630.3062, 630.3067, 630.307, 633.286, 633.471, 633.505,
633.507, 633.511, 633.526, 633.533, 690B.045 and 690B.050 are hereby repealed.
Sec. 65. Sections 3 to 17, inclusive, of this act do
not apply to an action that is filed before the effective date of this act and
apply to any action that is filed on or after the effective date of this act.
Sec. 66. 1.
At the general election held in 2004, the provisions of this act must be
submitted to the registered voters of this state, pursuant to Section 2 of Article
19 of the Nevada Constitution, as a different and competing measure
enacted by the Legislature on the same subject contained in the initiative
petition that was presented to the Legislature by the Secretary of State on
February 3, 2003.
2. If the initiative
petition that was presented to the Legislature by the Secretary of State on
February 3, 2003, is invalidated or for any other reason is not submitted to
the registered voters of this state at the general election held in 2004, the
provisions of this act also must not be submitted to the registered voters of
this state at that general election and are thereafter void.
3. This act shall become
law and take effect in the manner set forth in Section 2 of Article 19 of
the Nevada Constitution.
TEXT
OF REPEALED SECTION
1.360 Duties.
3.029 Training concerning
complex issues of medical malpractice litigation.
7.085 Payment of
additional costs, expenses and attorney’s fees by attorney who files, maintains
or defends certain civil actions or extends civil actions in certain
circumstances.
41.503 Hospital care or
assistance necessitated by traumatic injury; presumption regarding follow-up
care.
41.505 Physicians,
dentists, nurses and emergency medical attendants; licensed medical facilities
in which certain emergency obstetrical care is rendered.
41A.007 “Economic
damages” defined.
41A.011 “Noneconomic
damages” defined.
41A.031 Limitations on
liability for noneconomic damages; exceptions.
41A.041 Medical
malpractice: Several liability for noneconomic damages.
41A.061 Dismissal of
action for failure to bring to trial; effect of dismissal; adoption of court
rules to expedite resolution of actions.
41A.071 Dismissal of
action filed without affidavit of medical expert supporting allegations.
41A.081 Settlement
conference: Persons required to participate; powers and duties of judge;
failure to participate.
41A.097 Limitation of
actions; tolling of limitation.
41A.100 Required
evidence; exceptions; rebuttable presumption of negligence.
42.020 Actions for
damages for medical malpractice: Reduction of damages by amount previously paid
or reimbursed; payment of future economic damages.
439.800 Definitions.
439.805 “Medical
facility” defined.
439.810 “Patient”
defined.
439.815 “Patient safety
officer” defined.
439.820 “Provider of
health care” defined.
439.825 “Repository”
defined.
439.830 “Sentinel event”
defined.
439.835 Mandatory
reporting of sentinel events.
439.840 Reports of
sentinel events: Duties of health division; confidentiality.
439.845 Analysis and
reporting of trends regarding sentinel events; treatment of certain information
regarding corrective action by medical facility.
439.850 Repository for
health care quality assurance: Creation; function.
439.855 Notification of
patients involved in sentinel events.
439.860 Inadmissibility
of certain information in administrative or legal proceeding.
439.865 Patient safety
plan: Development; approval; notice; compliance.
439.870 Patient safety
officer: Designation; duties.
439.875 Patient safety
committee: Establishment; composition; meetings; duties; proceedings and
records are privileged.
439.880 Immunity from
criminal and civil liability.
439.885 Violation by
medical facility: Administrative sanction prohibited when voluntarily reported.
439.890 Adoption of
regulations.
449.205 Retaliation or
discrimination against employee of medical facility who reports or participates
in investigation or proceeding relating to sentinel event or certain conduct of
physician prohibited; restriction of right prohibited.
449.207 Retaliation or
discrimination against employee of medical facility who reports or participates
in investigation or proceeding relating to sentinel event or certain conduct of
physician: Legal recourse of employee.
630.130 Duties;
regulations.
630.267 Biennial
registration: Submission of statement, list and fee; suspension and
reinstatement of license; notice to licensee.
630.293 Retaliation or
discrimination against employee who reports or participates in investigation or
proceeding relating to sentinel event or certain conduct of physician
prohibited; restriction of right prohibited.
630.296 Retaliation or
discrimination against employee who reports or participates in investigation or
proceeding relating to sentinel event or certain conduct of physician: Legal
recourse of employee.
630.3062 Grounds for
initiating disciplinary action or denying licensure: Failure to maintain proper
medical records; altering medical records; making false report; failure to file
or obstructing required report; failure to allow inspection and copying of
medical records; failure to report other person in violation of chapter or
regulations.
630.3067 Reporting of
certain information concerning malpractice or negligence; noncompliance by
insurer.
630.307 Filing of
complaint; reporting of certain information relating to competency of
physician, physician assistant or practitioner of respiratory care;
noncompliance by medical facility or society.
633.286 Reports to
governor and legislature.
633.471 Renewal of
license: Prerequisites; notice to licensee; exemption from fee.
633.505 Retaliation or
discrimination against employee who reports or participates in investigation or
proceeding relating to sentinel event or certain conduct of osteopathic
physician prohibited; restriction of right prohibited.
633.507 Retaliation or
discrimination against employee who reports or participates in investigation or
proceeding relating to sentinel event or certain conduct of osteopathic
physician: Legal recourse of employee.
633.511 Grounds for
initiating disciplinary action.
633.526 Reporting of
certain information concerning malpractice or negligence; noncompliance by
insurer.
633.533 Period for
mandatory filing of complaint; reporting of certain information relating to
competency of osteopathic physician or osteopathic physician’s assistant;
noncompliance by medical facility or society.
690B.045 Practitioners of
the healing arts: Reports to licensing boards.
690B.050 Physicians and
osteopathic physicians: Reports to Commissioner and licensing boards.”.
Amend the bill as a whole
by deleting the preamble.
Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:
“AN ACT relating to malpractice; revising provisions governing
limitations on liability of certain medical providers for negligent acts;
removing the exception for gross malpractice from the limitation on liability
of noneconomic damages in cases involving medical and dental malpractice;
providing that a settlement conference in an action for malpractice is not
mandatory in all cases; revising various other provisions concerning actions
for medical and dental malpractice; revising provisions governing mandatory
training for certain district judges concerning issues of medical malpractice
litigation; revising provisions concerning sanctions imposed on attorneys in
certain circumstances; revising various provisions concerning the reporting of
medical errors; revising provisions concerning the Board of Medical Examiners;
revising provisions concerning the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine;
revising the time within which certain reports concerning claims of malpractice
must be submitted to a licensing board; increasing certain administrative fines
for failing to file reports concerning claims of malpractice; and providing
other maters properly relating thereto.”.
Amend the summary of the
bill to read as follows:
“SUMMARY—Makes
various changes related to medical and dental malpractice. (BDR 1‑248)”.
Maurice E. Washington |
Bernie Anderson |
Mike McGinness |
Barbara Buckley |
Michael Schneider |
Dawn Gibbons |
Senate Conference Committee |
Assembly Conference
Committee |
Senator Washington moved that the Senate adopt the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Senate Bill No. 97.
Remarks by Senators Washington and Care.
Senators O'Connell, Rhoads and Amodei requested a roll call vote on Senator Washington's motion.
Roll call on Senator Washington’s motion:
Yeas—9.
Nays—Cegavske, Coffin, Hardy, Nolan, O'Connell, Rawson,
Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Tiffany, Townsend, Washington—12.
The motion having failed to receive a majority, Madam President declared it lost.
Madam
President:
The
first Conference Committee concerning Senate Bill No. 144, consisting of the
undersigned members, has met and reports that:
It
has agreed to recommend that the amendment of the Assembly be concurred in.
It
has agreed to recommend that the bill be further amended as set forth in
Conference Amendment No. 38, which is attached to and hereby made a part of
this report.
Conference
Amendment.
Amend sec. 2, page 2, by deleting lines 11 through 16 and inserting:
“2. If a fee is charged pursuant to subsection
1:
(a) The fee must by charged
only once annually.
(b) The total of all fees
collected annually pursuant to subsection 1 must not exceed an amount equal to
the annual salary of a half-time position the duty of which is to administer
the federal grants.”.
Amend the bill as a whole by renumbering sec. 8 as sec. 9 and
adding a new section, designated sec. 8, to read as follows:
“Sec. 8. Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 6,
Statutes of Nevada 2001, Special Session, from the $20,000,000 in general
obligation bonds allocated to the State Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources to be administered by the Division of State Lands pursuant to
subparagraph (5) of paragraph (a) of subsection 7 of section 2 of that act:
1. The sum of $150,000
must be allocated to Virginia City for distribution to the Comstock Cemetery
Foundation for restoration of historic Virginia City cemetery if a commitment
for at least a 100 percent matching amount of money from one or more federal
grants is obtained for the cost of the restoration project. This allocation
must be made from the first bonds sold pursuant to chapter 6 of Statutes of
Nevada 2001, Special Session.
2. The sum of $136,000
must be allocated to Lincoln County for the restoration of the historic
fairgrounds in Panaca, Nevada, if a commitment is received from Lincoln County
to match the allocated money through the provision of all labor for the
restoration project. This allocation must be made from the second group of
bonds sold pursuant to chapter 6 of Statutes of Nevada 2001, Special Session.”.
Amend the title of the bill, thirteenth line, after “parks;” by
inserting:
“providing for the allocation
of certain bonds proceeds for historic restoration projects in Virginia City
and Lincoln County;”.
Sandra Tiffany |
Harry Mortenson |
Warren B. Hardy |
Tom Collins |
Terry Care |
Pete Goicoechea |
Senate Conference Committee |
Assembly Conference
Committee |
Senator Tiffany moved that the Senate adopt the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Senate Bill No. 144.
Remarks by Senator Tiffany.
Motion carried by a two-thirds majority.
SECOND READING AND AMENDMENT
Assembly Bill No. 460.
Bill read second time.
The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Judiciary:
Amendment No. 1014.
Amend the bill as a whole by adding a new section designated sec. 1.5, following section 1, to read as follows:
“Sec.
1.5.
NRS 202.2491 is hereby amended to read as follows:
202.2491 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 5 and 6 and NRS 202.24915, the smoking of tobacco in any form is prohibited if done in any:
(a) Public elevator.
(b) Public building.
(c) Public waiting room, lobby or hallway of any:
(1) Medical facility or facility for the dependent as defined in chapter 449 of NRS; or
(2) Office of any chiropractor, dentist, physical therapist, physician, podiatric physician, psychologist, optician, optometrist or doctor of Oriental medicine.
(d) Hotel or motel when so designated by the operator thereof.
(e) Public area of a store principally devoted to the sale of food for human consumption off the premises.
(f) Child care facility.
(g) Bus used by the general public, other than a chartered bus, or in any maintenance facility or office associated with a bus system operated by any regional transportation commission.
(h) School bus.
(i) Video arcade.
2.
The person in control of an area listed in paragraph (c), (d), (e) [,
(f)] or (g) of subsection 1:
(a) Shall post in the area signs prohibiting smoking in any place not designated for that purpose as provided in paragraph (b).
(b) May designate separate rooms or portions of the area which may be used for smoking, except for a room or portion of the area of a store described in paragraph (e) of subsection 1 if the room or portion of the area:
(1) Is leased to or operated by a person licensed pursuant to NRS 463.160; and
(2) Does not otherwise qualify for an exemption set forth in NRS 202.24915.
3. The person in control of a public building:
(a) Shall post in the area signs prohibiting smoking in any place not designated for that purpose as provided in paragraph (b).
(b) Shall, 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 not designate an area which may be used by the pupils to smoke.
4. The operator of a restaurant with a seating capacity of 50 or more shall maintain a flexible nonsmoking area within the restaurant and offer each patron the opportunity to be seated in a smoking or nonsmoking area.
5. A business which derives more than 50 percent of its gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages or 50 percent of its gross receipts from gaming operations may be designated as a smoking area in its entirety by the operator of the business.
6. The smoking of tobacco is not prohibited in:
(a) Any room or area designated for smoking pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 2 or paragraph (b) of subsection 3.
(b) A licensed gaming establishment. A licensed gaming establishment may designate separate rooms or areas within the establishment which may or may not be used for smoking.
7. [The
person in control of a child care facility shall not allow children in any room
or area he designates for smoking pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 2.
Any such room or area must be sufficiently separate or ventilated so that there
are no irritating or toxic effects of smoke in the other areas of the facility.
8.]
As used in this section:
(a) “Child care facility” means an
establishment [licensed pursuant to chapter 432A of NRS to provide care for
13 or more children.] operated and
maintained to furnish care on a temporary or permanent basis, during the day or
overnight, to five or more children under 18 years of age, if compensation is
received for the care of any of those children. The term does not include the
home of a natural person who provides child care.
(b) “Licensed gaming establishment” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 463.0169.
(c) “Public building” means any building or office space owned or occupied by:
(1) Any component of the University and Community College System of Nevada and used for any purpose related to the System.
(2) The State of Nevada and used for any public purpose, other than that used by the Department of Corrections to house or provide other services to offenders.
(3) Any county, city, school district or other political subdivision of the State and used for any public purpose.
If only part of a building is owned or occupied by an entity described in this paragraph, the term means only that portion of the building which is so owned or occupied.
(d) “School bus” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 483.160.
(e) “Video arcade” means a facility legally accessible to persons under 18 years of age which is intended primarily for the use of pinball and video machines for amusement and which contains a minimum of 10 such machines.”.
Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:
“AN ACT relating to tobacco; prohibiting smoking in certain video arcades and child care facilities; making various changes relating to the sale of tobacco products to and the purchase of those products by minors; making various changes regarding the sale, delivery and taxation of cigarettes; revising the duties and rights of manufacturers and distributors of cigarettes; revising the duties of the Department of Taxation; providing civil and criminal penalties; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.”.
Senator Amodei moved the adoption of the amendment.
Remarks by Senator Amodei.
Amendment adopted.
Bill ordered reprinted, re-engrossed and to third reading.
GENERAL FILE AND THIRD READING
Assembly Bill No. 441.
Bill read third time.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 441:
Yeas—20.
Nays—Neal.
Assembly Bill No. 441 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
Assembly Bill No. 490.
Bill read third time.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 490:
Yeas—21.
Nays—None.
Assembly Bill No. 490 having received a two-thirds majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate recess until 8:30 p.m.
Motion carried.
Senate in recess at 7:32 p.m.
SENATE IN SESSION
At 11:44 p.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Quorum present.
REPORTS
OF COMMITTEES
Madam
President:
Your
Committee on Finance, to which was referred Assembly Bill No. 203, has had the
same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the
recommendation: Do pass.
William J. Raggio, Chairman
Madam
President:
Your
Committee on Government Affairs, to which was referred Assembly Bill No. 552,
has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back
with the recommendation: Do pass.
Ann O'Connell, Chairman
MESSAGES FROM THE ASSEMBLY
Assembly
Chamber, Carson
City, June 2, 2003
To the
Honorable the Senate:
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day passed Assembly Bills Nos. 474, 554, 555; Senate Bills Nos. 184, 301, 497, 506.
Also,
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day
passed, as amended, Assembly Bills Nos. 268, 366, 466, 482.
Also, I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly amended, and on this day passed, as amended, Senate Bill No. 210, Amendment No. 985; Senate Bill No. 250, Amendment No. 987; Senate Bill No. 400, Amendment No. 922; Senate Bill No. 499, Amendment No. 977, and respectfully requests your honorable body to concur in said amendments.
Also,
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day
adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 32; Senate Concurrent Resolution No.
41.
Also, I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day concurred in the Senate Amendment No. 989 to Assembly Bill No. 148.
Also, I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day concurred in the Senate Amendment No. 1008 to Assembly Bill No. 441.
Also,
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day
concurred in the Senate Amendment No. 1010 to Assembly Bill No. 490.
Also,
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day
concurred in the Senate Amendment No. 712 to Assembly Bill No. 493.
Also, I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day respectfully refused to recede from its action on Senate Bill No. 258, and requests a conference, and appointed Assemblymen Arberry, Perkins and Gibbons as a first Conference Committee to meet with a like committee of the Senate.
Also,
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day
adopted the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bills
Nos. 23, 232, 249; Senate Bills Nos. 59, 137, 144, 370, 436.
Diane
Keetch |
Assistant Chief Clerk of
the Assembly |
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES
Senator Coffin moved to suspend Joint Standing Rule No. 9.5, which requires the Senate to adjourn at midnight and change the specified time to 1 a.m.
Remarks by Senators Coffin and Amodei.
Motion carried.
WHEREAS,
Chief Donald L. Bailey, Sr., and the staff of the State Printing Division of
the Department of Administration have worked long and hard to meet the needs of
the 72nd Session of the Nevada Legislature, and their efforts have ensured
timely and efficient printing of all bills, resolutions, histories, indices and
journals; and
Whereas, The work produced by the State
Printing Division continues to meet the high standards of previous years
because of the care that Chief Don Bailey and his excellent staff devote to
every assignment given to them; and
Whereas, The departments of the
printing office, including composition, offset, bindery and office staff, have
set and achieved these high standards under the direction of Chief Bailey; and
Whereas, Without such outstanding
service and continued cooperation from the Chief and his staff, the Legislature
could not function or fulfill its obligations to the people of the State of
Nevada; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada,
the Senate Concurring, That the members of the 72nd Session of the
Nevada Legislature hereby express their appreciation and commend Chief Donald
L. Bailey, Sr., and the members of his staff at the State Printing Division of
the Department of Administration for their dedication, cooperation and
exceptional work; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the
Assembly prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to Mr. Donald L.
Bailey, Sr., Chief of the State Printing Division of the Department of
Administration.
Senator Raggio moved the adoption of the resolution.
Remarks by Senator Raggio.
Resolution adopted.
Resolution ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING
AND REFERENCE
By the Committee on Finance:
Senate Bill No. 509—AN ACT relating to state financial administration; providing for the imposition and administration of state taxes on business entities and financial institutions for the privilege of doing business in this state; imposing a tax on the admission charge to a place where live entertainment is provided; revising the taxes on liquor and cigarettes; imposing a state tax on the transfer of real property; revising the fees charged for certain gaming licenses; establishing the Legislative Committee on Taxation, Public Revenue and Tax Policy; requiring the Department of Education to prescribe a minimum amount of money that each school district must expend each year for textbooks, instructional supplies and instructional hardware; apportioning the State Distributive School Account in the State General Fund for the 2003-2005 biennium; authorizing certain expenditures; making an appropriation; providing penalties; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Senator Raggio moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 268.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 366.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Taxation.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 466.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 474.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 482.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 554.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
Assembly Bill No. 555.
Senator Rawson moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
REPORTS
OF COMMITTEES
Madam
President:
Your
Committee on Finance, to which was referred Senate Bill No. 509, has had the
same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back with the
recommendation: Do pass.
William J. Raggio, Chairman
GENERAL FILE AND THIRD READING
Assembly Bill No. 203.
Bill read third time.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 203:
Yeas—20.
Nays—Cegavske.
Assembly Bill No. 203 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
Assembly Bill No. 460.
Bill read third time.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 460:
Yeas—19.
Nays—Care, O'Connell—2.
Assembly Bill No. 460 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed, as amended.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
Assembly Bill No. 552.
Bill read third time.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 552:
Yeas—21.
Nays—None.
Assembly Bill No. 552 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Consideration
of Assembly Amendments
Senate Bill No. 210.
The following Assembly amendment was read:
Amendment No. 985.
Amend sec. 2, page 3, line 2, by deleting “Executive Director” and inserting “President”.
Amend sec. 7, page 6, lines 35 and 36, by deleting “Executive Director” and inserting “President”.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate concur in the Assembly amendment to Senate Bill No. 210.
Remarks by Senator Raggio.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
Bill ordered enrolled.
Senate Bill No. 250.
The following Assembly amendment was read:
Amendment No. 987.
Amend sec. 37, page 16, by deleting lines 25 and 26 and inserting: “this chapter unless the Board finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the”.
Amend sec. 52, page 23, line 15, by deleting: “clear and convincing” and inserting: “a preponderance of the”.
Amend sec. 58, page 27, by deleting lines 10 and 11 and inserting: “that a violation of the provisions of this”.
Amend the bill as a whole by adding new sections designated sections 79.3 through 79.7, following sec. 79, to read as follows:
“Sec. 79.3. NRS 634.018 is hereby amended to read as follows:
634.018 “Unprofessional conduct” means:
1. Obtaining a certificate upon fraudulent credentials or gross misrepresentation.
2. Procuring, or aiding or abetting in procuring, criminal abortion.
3. [Obtaining
a fee on assurance] Assuring that
a manifestly incurable disease can be permanently cured.
4.
Advertising chiropractic business in which grossly improbable statements
are made, advertising in any manner that will tend to deceive, defraud or
mislead the public or preparing, causing to be prepared, using or participating
in the use of any form of public communication that contains professionally
self-laudatory statements calculated to attract lay patients. As used in this
subsection, “public communication” includes, but is not limited to,
communications by means of television, radio, newspapers, books and
periodicals, motion picture, handbills or other printed matter. [Nothing
contained in this subsection prohibits the direct mailing of informational
documents to former or current patients.]
5. Willful disobedience of the law, or of the regulations of the State Board of Health or of the Chiropractic Physicians’ Board of Nevada.
6. Conviction of any offense involving moral turpitude, or the conviction of a felony. The record of the conviction is conclusive evidence of unprofessional conduct.
7. Administering, dispensing or prescribing any controlled substance.
8. Conviction or violation of any federal or state law regulating the possession, distribution or use of any controlled substance. The record of conviction is conclusive evidence of unprofessional conduct.
9. Habitual intemperance or excessive use of alcohol or alcoholic beverages or any controlled substance.
10. Conduct unbecoming a person licensed to practice chiropractic or detrimental to the best interests of the public.
11. Violating, or attempting to violate, directly or indirectly, or assisting in or abetting the violation of, or conspiring to violate, any provision of this chapter or the regulations adopted by the Board, or any other statute or regulation pertaining to the practice of chiropractic.
12. Employing, directly or indirectly, any suspended or unlicensed practitioner in the practice of any system or mode of treating the sick or afflicted, or the aiding or abetting of any unlicensed person to practice chiropractic under this chapter.
13. Repeated malpractice, which may be evidenced by claims of malpractice settled against a practitioner.
14.
Solicitation by the licensee or his designated agent of any person who,
at the time of the solicitation, is vulnerable to undue influence, including,
without limitation, any person known by the licensee to have recently been [:
(a) Involved] involved in a motor vehicle accident [;
(b) Involved] , involved in a work-related accident [; or
(c) Injured] , or injured by, or as
the result of the actions of, another person. As used in this subsection:
(a)
“Designated agent” means a person who renders service to a licensee on a
contract basis and is not an employee of the licensee.
(b)
“Solicitation” means the attempt to acquire a new patient through information
obtained from a law enforcement agency, medical facility or the report of any
other party, which information indicates that the potential new patient may be
vulnerable to undue influence, as described in this subsection.
15. Employing, directly or indirectly, any person as a chiropractor’s assistant unless the person has been issued a certificate by the Board pursuant to NRS 634.123, or has applied for such a certificate and is awaiting the determination of the Board concerning the application.
16. Aiding, abetting, commanding, counseling,
encouraging, inducing or soliciting an insurer or other third-party payor to
reduce or deny payment or reimbursement for the care or treatment of a patient,
unless such action is supported by:
(a)
The medical records of the patient; and
(b) An
examination of the patient by the chiropractic physician taking such action.
Sec. 79.5. NRS 634.090 is hereby amended to read as follows:
634.090 1. An applicant must, in addition to the requirements of NRS 634.070 and 634.080, furnish satisfactory evidence to the Board:
(a) That he is of good moral character;
(b) [Not] Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, not less than
60 days before the date of the examination, that he has a high school
education and is a graduate from a college of chiropractic which is accredited
by the Council on Chiropractic Education or which has a reciprocal agreement
with the Council on Chiropractic Education [,] or any governmental accrediting agency, whose minimum course of
study leading to the degree of doctor of chiropractic consists of not less than
4,000 hours of credit which includes instruction in each of the following
subjects:
(1) Anatomy;
(2) Bacteriology;
(3) Chiropractic theory and practice;
(4) Diagnosis and chiropractic analysis;
(5) Elementary chemistry and toxicology;
(6) Histology;
(7) Hygiene and sanitation;
(8) Obstetrics and gynecology;
(9) Pathology;
(10) Physiology; and
(11) Physiotherapy; and
(c) That he:
(1) Holds certificates which indicate
that he has passed parts I, II [and III,] , III and IV, and the portion relating to physiotherapy, of the
examination administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners; or
(2) Has actively practiced chiropractic in another state for not fewer than 7 of the immediately preceding 10 years without having any adverse disciplinary action taken against him.
2. The Board may, for good cause shown, waive
the requirement for a particular applicant that the college of chiropractic
from which the applicant graduated must be accredited by the Council on
Chiropractic Education or have a reciprocal agreement with the Council on
Chiropractic Education or a governmental accrediting agency.
3. Except as otherwise provided in
subsection [3,] 4, every
applicant is required to submit evidence of his successful completion of not
less than 60 credit hours at an accredited college or university.
[3.] 4. Any applicant who has
been licensed to practice in another state, and has been in practice for not
less than 5 years, is not required to comply with the provisions of subsection [2.]
3.
Sec. 79.7. NRS 634.130 is hereby amended to read as follows:
634.130 1. Licenses and certificates must be renewed annually. Each person who is licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter must, upon the payment of the required renewal fee and the submission of the statement required pursuant to NRS 634.095, be granted a renewal certificate which authorizes him to continue to practice for 1 year.
2. The renewal fee must be paid and the statement must be submitted to the Board on or before January 1 of the year to which it applies.
3.
Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, a licensee in active
practice within this state must submit satisfactory proof to the Board that he
has attended at least 12 hours of continuing education which is approved or
endorsed by the Board . [, with
the exception of a licensee who has reached the age of 70 years. Two hours of
the continuing education must be obtained in a topic specified by the Board.]
The educational requirement of this section may be waived by the Board if the
licensee files with the Board a statement of a chiropractic physician,
osteopathic physician or doctor of medicine certifying that the licensee is
suffering from a serious or disabling illness or physical disability which
prevented him from completing the requirements for continuing education during
the 12 months immediately preceding the renewal date of his license.
4. A licensee is not required to comply with the requirements of subsection 3 until the calendar year after the year the Board issues to him an initial license to practice as a chiropractor in this state.
5. If a licensee fails to:
(a) Pay his renewal fee by January 1;
(b) Submit the statement required pursuant to NRS 634.095 by January 1;
(c) Submit proof of continuing education pursuant to subsection 3; or
(d) Notify the Board of a change in the location of his office pursuant to NRS 634.129,
his license is automatically suspended and may be reinstated only upon the payment of the required fee for reinstatement in addition to the renewal fee.
6. If a holder of a certificate as a chiropractor’s assistant fails to:
(a) Pay his renewal fee by January 1;
(b) Submit the statement required pursuant to NRS 634.095 by January 1; or
(c) Notify the Board of a change in the location of his office pursuant to NRS 634.129,
his certificate is automatically suspended and may be reinstated only upon the payment of the required fee for reinstatement in addition to the renewal fee.”.
Amend the bill as a whole by adding a new section designated sec. 80.5, following sec. 80, to read as follows:
“Sec. 80.5. NRS 634.208 is hereby amended to read as follows:
634.208
1. In addition to any other
remedy provided by law, the Board, through its President, Secretary or its
attorney, or the Attorney General, may bring an action in any court of
competent jurisdiction to enjoin any person who does not hold a license issued
by the Board from practicing chiropractic or representing himself to be a
chiropractor. As used in this subsection,
“practicing chiropractic” includes the conducting of independent examinations
and the offering of opinions regarding the treatment or care, or both, with
respect to patients who are residents of this state.
2. The court in a proper case may issue an injunction for such purposes without proof of actual damage sustained by any person, this provision being a preventive as well as a punitive measure. The issuance of such an injunction does not relieve the person from criminal prosecution for a violation of NRS 634.227.”.
Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sections 155 and 156 and adding:
“Secs. 155 and 156. (Deleted by amendment.)”.
Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sections 178 and 179 and adding:
“Secs. 178 and 179. (Deleted by amendment.)”.
Amend sec. 183, page 90, by deleting lines 7 through 9 and inserting:
“2. Section 4 of Senate Bill No. 281 of this session is hereby”.
Amend sec. 184, page 90, line 17, by deleting: “Section 99 of this act expires” and inserting: “Sections 79.7 and 99 of this act expire”.
Amend the text of repealed sections by deleting the text of sections 8, 8.3 and 8.7 of Assembly Bill No. 320 of this session.
Amend the title of the bill, eleventh line, after “physicians;” by inserting: “making various changes regarding the practice of chiropractic;”.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate concur in the Assembly amendment to Senate Bill No. 250.
Remarks by Senator Raggio.
Motion carried by a two-thirds majority.
Bill ordered enrolled.
Senate Bill No. 499.
The following Assembly amendment was read:
Amendment No. 977.
Amend section 1, page 1, line 7, by deleting “$1,800,000” and inserting “$1,500,000”.
Amend the bill as a whole by renumbering sections 2 through 4 as sections 3 through 5 and adding a new section designated sec. 2, following section 1, to read as follows:
“Sec. 2. In addition to the sum made available for allocation pursuant to subsection 2 of section 1 of this act, the Interim Finance Committee is hereby authorized, for the purpose of assisting the state entities described in that subsection, to expend for allocation pursuant to section 3 of this act:
1. Three hundred thousand dollars from the forfeiture accounts administered by the State Treasurer pursuant to NRS 179.1187; and
2. Such additional amounts from the forfeiture accounts administered by the State Treasurer pursuant to NRS 178.1187 as may be available in those accounts on or before June 30, 2005.”.
Amend sec. 2, page 1, by deleting line 13 and inserting: “Committee of the money:
(a) Appropriated by section 1 of this act; and
(b) If the state entity is a state entity described in subsection 2 of section 1 of this act, authorized for expenditure pursuant to section 2 of this act.”.
Amend sec. 2, page 2, between lines 12 and 13, by inserting:
“4. With respect to the state entities described in subsection 2 of section 1 of this act:
(a) The State Board of Examiners and the Interim Finance Committee shall, in determining whether an allocation should be made from the sum appropriated pursuant to that subsection, consider whether additional money is available for use from the forfeiture accounts administered by the State Treasurer pursuant to NRS 179.1187.
(b) The Interim Finance Committee shall, in granting allocations to such state entities, apply the following preference:
(1) To first pay for such allocations from the proceeds available from the forfeiture accounts administered by the State Treasurer pursuant to NRS 179.1187; and
(2) To pay for such allocations secondarily by using the proceeds appropriated from the State General Fund as described in subsection 2 of section 1 of this act.”.
Amend the title of the bill, third line, after “equipment;” by inserting: “additionally making available for such purposes certain funds in the forfeiture accounts administered by the State Treasurer;”.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate concur in the Assembly amendment to Senate Bill No. 499.
Remarks by Senator Raggio.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
Bill ordered enrolled.
Appointment of Conference Committees
Madam President appointed Senators Rawson, Mathews and Rhoads as a first Conference Committee to meet with a like committee of the Assembly for the further consideration of Senate Bill No. 258.
Reports
of Conference Committees
Madam
President:
The
first Conference Committee concerning Senate Bill No. 432, consisting of the
undersigned members, has met and reports that:
It
has agreed to recommend that the amendment(s) of the Assembly be concurred in.
It
has agreed to recommend that the bill be further amended as set forth in
Conference Amendment No. 44, which is attached to and hereby made a part of
this report.
Conference
Amendment.
Amend the bill as a whole by
deleting sec. 6.5 and adding:
“Sec. 6.5. (Deleted by amendment.)”.
Amend the title of the bill, sixth through eighth lines by
deleting: “revising the provision pertaining to the relocation of a gaming
establishment;”.
Senator Care moved that the Senate adopt the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Senate Bill No. 432.
Motion carried by a two-thirds majority.
Madam
President:
The
first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 23, consisting of the
undersigned members, has met and reports that:
It
has agreed to recommend that the amendment of the Senate be concurred in.
It
has agreed to recommend that the bill be further amended as set forth in
Conference Amendment No. 43, which
is attached to and hereby made a part of this report.
Conference
Amendment.
Amend section 1, pages 2 and 3, by
deleting lines 6 through 45 on page 2 and lines 1 through 5 on page 3, and
inserting: “
[County] District County County County County Public
Class County [Commissioner] Attorney Sheriff Clerk Assessor Recorder Treasurer Administrator
1 Clark [$54,000 $100,800 $84,000 $72,000 $72,000 $72,000 $72,000 $72,000]
$155,745 $134,263 $91,138 $91,138 $91,138 $91,138 $91,138
2 Washoe [39,600 96,000 78,000 66,000 66,000 66,000 66,000 66,000]
137,485 110,632 83,543 83,543 83,543 83,543 83,543
3 Carson City [18,000 72,360 60,000 51,360 51,360 -------- 51,360 --------]
98,707 81,846 65,012 65,012 -------- 65,012 --------
Churchill [18,000 72,360 60,000 51,360 51,360 51,360 -------- --------]
98,707 81,846 65,012 65,012 65,012 -------- --------
Douglas [18,000 72,360 60,000 51,360 51,360 51,360 -------- --------]
98,707 81,846 65,012 65,012 65,012 -------- --------
Elko [18,000 72,360 60,000 51,360 51,360 51,360 51,360 --------]
98,707 81,846 65,012 65,012 65,012 65,012 --------
Humboldt 98,707 81,846 65,012 65,012 65,012 65,012 --------
Lyon [18,000 72,360 60,000 51,360 51,360 51,360 -------- --------]
98,707 81,846 65,012 65,012 65,012 -------- --------
Nye [18,000 72,360 60,000 51,360 51,360 51,360 51,360 --------]
98,707 81,846 65,012 65,012 65,012 65,012 --------
[4 Humboldt 18,000 68,340 54,000 42,840 42,840 42,840 42,840 --------]
4 Lander [18,000 68,340 54,000 42,840 42,840 42,840 42,840 --------]
93,223 73,662 54,227 54,227 54,227 54,227 --------
White Pine [18,000 68,340 54,000 42,840 42,840 42,840 42,840 --------]
93,223 73,662 54,227 54,227 54,227 54,227 --------
5 Eureka [15,240 60,300 43,200 38,400 38,400 38,400 -------- --------]
82,256 58,929 48,607 48,607 48,607 -------- --------
Lincoln [15,240 60,300 43,200 38,400 38,400 38,400 38,400 --------]
82,256 58,929 48,607 48,607 48,607 48,607 --------
Mineral [15,240 60,300 43,200 38,400 38,400 38,400 -------- --------]
82,256 58,929 48,607 48,607 48,607 -------- --------
Pershing [15,240 60,300 43,200 38,400 38,400 38,400 -------- --------]
82,256 58,929 48,607 48,607 48,607 -------- --------
Storey 82,256 58,929 48,607 48,607 48,607 -------- --------
6 Esmeralda [12,000 47,880 38,400 33,600 33,600 33,600 -------- --------]
65,314 52,382 42,531 42,531 42,531 -------- --------
[Storey 15,240 47,880 43,200 38,400 38,400 38,400 -------- --------]
3. A
board of county commissioners may, by a vote of at least a majority of all the
members of the board, set the annual salary for the county commissioners of
that county, but in no event may the annual salary exceed an amount which
equals 126.65 percent of the amount of the annual salary for the county
commissioners of that county that was in effect by operation of statute on
January 1, 2003.”.
Amend the title of the bill by deleting the second through sixth
lines and inserting: “certain elected county officers; authorizing a board of
county commissioners to set the annual salary for a county commissioner of that
county within certain limitations; authorizing a county to request and receive
a waiver from the increases in compensation of certain elected county officers
in the event of insufficient financial”.
Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:
“SUMMARY—Increases compensation of certain elected county
officers and authorizes board of county commissioners to set salary of county
commissioners. (BDR 20‑163)”.
William J. Raggio |
Peggy Pierce |
Randolph J. Townsend |
Ellen Koivisto |
Terry Care |
Chad Christensen |
Senate Conference Committee |
Assembly Conference
Committee |
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate adopt the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 23.
Remarks by Senator Raggio.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
Madam
President:
The
first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 163, consisting of the
undersigned members, has met and reports that:
It
has agreed to recommend that the amendment of the Senate be concurred in.
It
has agreed to recommend that the bill be further amended as set forth in
Conference Amendment No. 9, which is attached to and hereby made a part of this
report.
Conference
Amendment.
Amend the bill as a whole by
deleting sections 1 through 72 and renumbering sections 72.3 through 72.7 as
sections 1 through 3.
Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sections 73 through 79 and
renumbering sec. 79.5 as sec. 4.
Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sections 80 through 82 and
renumbering sec. 82.5 as sec. 5.
Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sections 83 and 84 and
renumbering sections 84.3 and 84.7 as sections 6 and 7.
Amend sec. 84.3, page 61, line 36, by deleting “72.7” and
inserting “3”.
Amend sec. 84.7, page 61, line 42, by deleting “79.5” and
inserting “4”.
Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sec. 85 and the text of the
repealed section.
Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:
“AN ACT relating to financial practices; providing a penalty for
a person who willfully offers into evidence as genuine certain fraudulent
records or who willfully destroys or alters certain records under certain
circumstances; increasing the penalty for certain securities violations;
extending the civil and criminal statutes of limitations for certain securities
violations; excluding the performance of certain internal audits pertaining to
certain gaming licensees by certain independent accountants; and providing
other matters properly relating thereto.”.
Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:
“SUMMARY—Makes various changes to provisions concerning financial
practices. (BDR 7‑383)”.
Mark E. Amodei |
Bernie Anderson |
Terry Care |
Rod Sherer |
Mike McGinness |
William Horne |
Senate Conference Committee |
Assembly Conference
Committee |
Senator Amodei moved that the Senate adopt the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 163.
Remarks by Senator Amodei.
Motion failed.
Madam President:
The
first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 232, consisting of the
undersigned members, has met and reports that:
It
has agreed to recommend that the amendment of the Senate be concurred in.
It
has agreed to recommend that the bill be further amended as set forth in
Conference Amendment No. 17, which is attached to and hereby made a part of
this report.
Conference
Amendment.
Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sections 1 through 19 and the
text of repealed sections and adding new sections designated sections 1 through
29, following the enacting clause, to read as follows:
“Section 1. NRS 597.814 is hereby amended to read as follows:
597.814 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3
and NRS 597.816, a person shall not use a device for automatic dialing and
announcing to disseminate a prerecorded message in a telephone call unless,
before the message is disseminated, a recorded or unrecorded natural voice:
(a) Informs
the person who answers the telephone call of the nature of the call, including,
without limitation, the fact that a device for automatic dialing and announcing
will be used to disseminate the message if the person who answers the call
remains on the line; and
(b)
Provides to the person who answers the telephone call the name, address and
telephone number of the business or organization, if any, being represented by
the caller.
2. A person shall not operate a device for
automatic dialing and announcing to place:
(a) A call
that is received by a telephone located in this state during the period between
[9] 8 p.m. and 9
a.m.; or
(b) A call-back or second call to the same telephone number [,]
if a person at the telephone number terminated the original call.
3. This section does not
prohibit the use of a device for automatic dialing and announcing to dial the
number of and play a recorded message to a person with whom the person using
the device or another person affiliated with the person using the device has a
preexisting business relationship.
Sec. 2. NRS 598.0918
is hereby amended to read as follows:
598.0918 A person engages
in a “deceptive trade practice” if , during
a solicitation by telephone or sales presentation, he:
1. Uses threatening,
intimidating, profane or obscene language;
2. Repeatedly or
continuously conducts the solicitation or presentation in a manner that is
considered by a reasonable person to be annoying, abusive or harassing;
3. Solicits a person by
telephone at his residence between [9] 8 p.m. and [8 a.m.; or]
9 a.m.;
4. Blocks or otherwise
intentionally circumvents any service used to identify the caller when placing
an unsolicited telephone call [.] ;
or
5. Places an unsolicited telephone call that
does not allow a service to identify the caller by the telephone number or name
of the business, unless such identification is not technically feasible.
Sec. 3. NRS 598.0999 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
598.0999 1. A
person who violates a court order or injunction issued pursuant to the
provisions of NRS 598.0903 to 598.0999, inclusive, upon a complaint brought by
the Commissioner, the Director, the district attorney of any county of this
state or the Attorney General shall forfeit and pay to the State General Fund a
civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each violation. For the purpose of
this section, the court issuing the order or injunction retains jurisdiction
over the action or proceeding. Such civil penalties are in addition to any
other penalty or remedy available for the enforcement of the provisions of NRS
598.0903 to 598.0999, inclusive.
2. In any action brought pursuant to the
provisions of NRS 598.0903 to 598.0999, inclusive, if the court finds that a
person has willfully engaged in a deceptive trade practice, the Commissioner,
the Director, the district attorney of any county in this state or the Attorney
General bringing the action may recover a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500
for each violation. The court in any such action may, in addition to any other
relief or reimbursement, award reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.
3. A natural person, firm, or any officer or
managing agent of any corporation or association who knowingly and willfully
engages in a deceptive trade practice:
(a) For the
first offense, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) For the
second offense, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
(c) For the
third and all subsequent offenses, is guilty of a category D felony and shall
be punished as provided in NRS 193.130.
4. Any offense which occurred within 10 years
immediately preceding the date of the principal offense or after the principal
offense constitutes a prior offense for the purposes of subsection 3 when
evidenced by a conviction, without regard to the sequence of the offenses and
convictions.
5. If a person violates any provision of NRS
598.0903 to 598.0999, inclusive, 598.100 to 598.2801, inclusive, 598.305 to
598.395, inclusive, 598.405 to 598.525, inclusive, 598.741 to 598.787,
inclusive, or 598.840 to 598.966, inclusive, fails to comply with a judgment or
order of any court in this state concerning a violation of such a provision, or
fails to comply with an assurance of discontinuance or other agreement
concerning an alleged violation of such a provision, the Commissioner or the
district attorney of any county may bring an action in the name of the State of
Nevada seeking:
(a) The
suspension of the person’s privilege to conduct business within this state; or
(b) If the
defendant is a corporation, dissolution of the corporation.
The court may grant or deny the relief sought or may
order other appropriate relief.
6.
If a person violates any provision of sections 5 to 19, inclusive, of
this act, fails to comply with a judgment or order of any court in this state
concerning a violation of such a provision, or fails to comply with an
assurance of discontinuance or other agreement concerning an alleged violation
of such a provision, the Attorney General may bring an action in the name of
the State of Nevada seeking:
(a) The suspension of the person’s privilege
to conduct business within this state; or
(b) If the defendant is a corporation,
dissolution of the corporation.
The court may
grant or deny the relief sought or may order other appropriate relief.
Sec. 3.3. NRS 598.375
is hereby amended to read as follows:
598.375 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection
8, each seller of travel shall deposit with the Division:
(a) A bond executed by a corporate surety approved by the
Commissioner and licensed to do business in this state;
(b) An irrevocable letter of credit for which the seller of
travel is the obligor, issued by a bank whose deposits are federally insured;
or
(c) A certificate of deposit in a financial institution which is
doing business in this state and which is federally insured or insured by a
private insurer approved pursuant to NRS 678.755. The certificate of deposit
may be withdrawn only on the order of the Commissioner, except that the
interest may accrue to the seller of travel.
2. The term of the bond,
letter of credit or certificate of deposit, or any renewal thereof, must be not
less than 1 year.
3. The amount of the
bond, letter of credit or certificate of deposit, or any renewal thereof, must
be $50,000.
4. If the seller of
travel deposits a bond, the seller of travel shall keep accurate records of the
bond and the payments made on the premium. The records must be open to
inspection by the Division during business hours. The seller of travel shall
notify the Division not later than 30 days before the date of expiration
of the bond and provide written proof of the renewal of the bond to the
Division.
5. The Commissioner may
reject any bond, letter of credit or certificate of deposit that fails to
comply with the requirements of this chapter.
6. A seller of travel may
change the form of security that he has deposited with the Division. If the
seller of travel changes the form of the security, the Commissioner may retain
for not more than 1 year any portion of the security previously deposited by
the seller of travel as security for claims arising during the time the
previous security was in effect.
7. If the amount of the
deposited security falls below the amount required by this chapter for that
security, the seller of travel shall be deemed not to be registered as required
by NRS 598.365 for the purposes of this chapter.
8. The provisions of this
section do not apply to a seller of travel who [is] :
(a) Is accredited by
and appointed as an agent of the Airlines Reporting Corporation [.] ; or
(b) Maintains a trust
account in accordance with the provisions of section 5 of Assembly Bill No. 343
of this session.
Sec. 3.5. NRS 598A.260
is hereby amended to read as follows:
598A.260 1. All money obtained as awards, damages or
civil penalties for the State of Nevada and its agencies by the Attorney
General as a result of enforcement of statutes pertaining to unfair trade
practices, whether by final judgment, settlement or otherwise must be deposited
in the State Treasury as follows:
(a) All attorney’s fees and costs and 50 percent of all recoveries
for credit to the Attorney General’s Special Fund.
(b) The balance of the recoveries for credit to the State General
Fund.
2. Money deposited in the
State Treasury for credit to the Attorney General’s Special Fund pursuant to
subsection 1 must be used for payment of the expenses of enforcing the statutes
pertaining to unfair trade practices [.] and sections 5 to 19, inclusive, of this act. Those expenses which
are in excess of the amount available in the fund must be paid out of the
legislative appropriation for the support of the Office of Attorney General.
3. On June 30 of each
fiscal year, any amount in excess of [$200,000] $450,000 in the Attorney General’s Special Fund of the money
collected pursuant to subsection 1 reverts to the State General Fund.
4. The balance of the
money in the Attorney General’s Special Fund that is collected pursuant to
subsection 1 must not exceed [$250,000.] $500,000. If money deposited in the State Treasury for credit to
the Attorney General’s Special Fund pursuant to subsection 1 would cause that
balance to exceed [$250,000] $500,000
if credited to the Fund, the amount of the deposit which would cause the
balance to exceed [$250,000] $500,000
immediately reverts to the State General Fund.
Sec. 4. Chapter 228 of
NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto the provisions set forth as sections 5
to 19, inclusive, of this act.
Sec. 5. As used in sections 5 to 19, inclusive, of
this act, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in
sections 6, 7 and 8 of this act have the meanings ascribed to them in those
sections.
Sec. 6. “Registry” means the registry established
pursuant to section 10 of this act unless, pursuant to section 9 of this act,
the part of the single national database that relates to this state is deemed
to be the registry.
Sec. 7. 1.
“Telephone solicitor” means a person who makes or causes another person
or a machine to make an unsolicited telephone call for the sale of goods or
services.
2. As used in this section:
(a) “Device for automatic
dialing and announcing” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 597.812.
(b) “Machine” includes,
without limitation, a device for automatic dialing and announcing.
Sec. 8. 1.
“Unsolicited telephone call for the sale of goods or services” means an
unsolicited telephone call, other than a telephone call on behalf of a
charitable organization, religious organization or political organization, to:
(a) Rent, lease, sell,
exchange, promote or gift any good or service;
(b) Solicit any act
described in paragraph (a);
(c) Seek or obtain a
donation or contribution of money or anything else of value; or
(d) Seek or obtain
information, including, without limitation, any document, intended to be used
to facilitate any act described in paragraph (a), (b) or (c).
2. As used in this section:
(a) “Charitable
organization” means a person that the Secretary of the Treasury has determined
to be tax exempt pursuant to the provisions of section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3).
(b) “Committee for
political action” means a committee for political action, as defined in NRS
294A.0055, which has registered pursuant to NRS 294A.230.
(c) “Good or service”
means:
(1) Any property or
product, whether tangible or intangible;
(2) Any service,
including, without limitation, financial service;
(3) A loan or any other
extension of credit;
(4) Insurance;
(5) Any investment or
opportunity for investment;
(6) A gift, prize,
bonus or any other inducement to act; or
(7) Anything of value.
(d) “Political
organization” means a committee for political action, political party or
candidate for public office.
(e) “Religious
organization” means an organization for which the primary purpose is the
operation of a church, synagogue or other place of religious worship at which
nonprofit religious services and activities are regularly conducted.
(f) “Telephone call on
behalf of a charitable organization, religious organization or political
organization” means a telephone call on behalf of the organization if the call
is made by:
(1) An employee of the
organization who is paid directly by the organization; or
(2) A volunteer.
3. For the purposes of this section, a
telephone call is deemed to have been solicited if it is made to a person who:
(a) Expressly requested or
expressly gave permission for the telephone call to be made;
(b) Had an established
business relationship with the caller, if the telephone call is made solely to
verify the termination of the business relationship; or
(c) Has a delinquent
obligation for which payment or performance is due but has not been made, if
the telephone call is made to:
(1) Collect the payment
or obtain the performance; or
(2) Extend credit to
allow the person to make the payment.
Sec. 9. 1. If a federal agency establishes a single
national database of telephone numbers of persons who request not to receive
unsolicited telephone calls for the sale of goods or services, the Attorney
General shall, to the extent consistent with federal law, examine that database
and the federal law relating to that database for the purposes of sections 5 to
19, inclusive, of this act. Based upon this examination and his analysis of the
applicable needs of this state, the Attorney General may issue a finding that:
(a) The part of the single
national database that relates to this state is adequate to serve as the
registry for the purposes of sections 5 to 19, inclusive, of this act; and
(b) It is in the best
interests of this state for the Attorney General to use the part of the single
national database that relates to this state as the registry for the purposes
of sections 5 to 19, inclusive, of this act.
2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection
3, if the Attorney General issues the finding described in subsection 1:
(a) The part of the single
national database that relates to this state shall be deemed to be the registry
for the purposes of sections 5 to 19, inclusive, of this act;
(b) The Attorney General
shall forward the applicable information in the registry established pursuant
to section 10 of this act, if any, to the federal agency or other appropriate
person who maintains the single national database;
(c) The provisions of
sections 10 and 13 of this act do not apply;
(d) The provisions of
paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of subsection 1 of section 11 of this act do not
apply; and
(e) The provisions of
subsection 3 of section 14 of this act do not apply.
3. Not less than biennially, the Attorney
General shall reexamine the single national database and the federal law
relating to that database for the purposes of sections 5 to 19, inclusive, of
this act. Based upon this reexamination and his analysis of the applicable
needs of this state, the Attorney General may rescind his finding issued
pursuant to subsection 1. If the Attorney General rescinds his finding:
(a) Except as otherwise
provided in paragraph (d), 1 month after the Attorney General rescinds his
finding, the provisions of section 10 of this act apply;
(b) Five months after the
Attorney General rescinds his finding, the provisions of section 13 of
this act apply;
(c) Six months after the
Attorney General rescinds his finding:
(1) The provisions of
paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of subsection 1 of section 11 of this act apply;
(2) The provisions of
subsection 3 of section 14 of this act apply; and
(3) The part of the
single national database that relates to this state shall cease to be deemed to
be the registry for the purposes of sections 5 to 19, inclusive, of this act; and
(d) Three years after the
Attorney General rescinds his finding, the provisions of paragraph (d) of
subsection 1 of section 10 of this act apply.
4. At any time after rescinding a finding
pursuant to subsection 3, the Attorney General may again issue a finding
described in subsection 1, and may rescind that finding pursuant to subsection
3.
Sec. 10. 1. The Attorney General shall:
(a) Establish and maintain,
or cause to be established and maintained, a registry that includes the name
and telephone number of each person in this state who has requested that his
telephone number be included in the list published pursuant to this section;
(b) Provide for a toll-free
telephone number that may be used to request inclusion or maintenance of a
telephone number in the registry;
(c) Publish a list of the
telephone numbers in the registry at least once every 6 months and ensure that
no other personally identifying information contained in the registry is
included in the published lists;
(d) On January 1, 2007, and
every 3 years thereafter, delete from the registry every telephone number and
related information, except for each telephone number and related information
for which the Attorney General has received a request within the preceding
6 months to include or maintain the telephone number in the registry;
(e) During the 6-month
period identified in paragraph (d), use reasonable means, including, without
limitation, public service announcements, to inform the public that telephone
numbers and related information in the registry will be deleted or otherwise
purged unless new or renewed requests for inclusion in the registry are
received by the Attorney General; and
(f) If a federal agency establishes a single
national database of telephone numbers of persons who request not to receive
unsolicited telephone calls for the sale of goods or services:
(1) Include the part of the single national
database that relates to this state in the registry;
(2) At least once every 6 months, add to the
registry any new and applicable information that has been added to the part of
the single national database that relates to this state; and
(3) At least once every
6 months, remove from the registry any applicable information that has been
removed from the part of the single national database that relates to this
state.
2. The Attorney General may:
(a) Contract for the
establishment and maintenance of the registry;
(b) Provide for additional
procedures for requesting inclusion or maintenance of a telephone number in the
registry; and
(c) Require by regulation
that information in addition to names and telephone numbers be included in the
registry, including, without limitation, the mailing address of each person who
has requested inclusion in the registry.
3. A
person may request that his telephone number be included or maintained in the
registry using:
(a) A toll-free telephone number provided by
the Attorney General for that purpose; or
(b) Any other method provided by the
Attorney General.
4. A
person may request to have his telephone number removed from the registry. Such
a request must be submitted to the Attorney General in writing.
Sec. 11. 1.
The Attorney General shall make information available to the public
concerning the establishment and maintenance of the registry, including,
without limitation:
(a) The procedures for
requesting the inclusion or maintenance of a telephone number in the registry;
(b) A statement indicating
that a revised version of the list of telephone numbers in the registry will be
published at least once every 6 months;
(c) A statement indicating that no
information contained in the registry, other than the telephone numbers, will
be included on the list published pursuant to this section or otherwise
disclosed to the public; and
(d) A statement indicating that all
telephone numbers and related information in the registry will be deleted or
otherwise purged from the registry every 3 years, except for any telephone
number and related information for which the Attorney General has received a
new or renewed request for inclusion in the registry within the 6 months before
the potential deletion.
2. A
person who publishes telephone directories for distribution to the public in
this state shall ensure that each such telephone directory includes the
information made available to the public by the Attorney General pursuant to
subsection 1.
Sec. 12. To the extent consistent with federal law:
1. The registry is not a public record. Any
list published of the telephone numbers contained within the registry is not a
public record.
2. The telephone numbers in the registry must
not be published or released except pursuant to the provisions of sections 5 to
19, inclusive, of this act.
3. The information in the registry other than
the telephone numbers:
(a) Must not be published
or released; and
(b) May only be used by the
Attorney General to administer the provisions of sections 5 to 19,
inclusive, of this act.
Sec. 13. Each
list of telephone numbers published pursuant to section 10 of this act must be
made available to a telephone solicitor upon the payment of the fee established
by regulation for this purpose by the Attorney General. The fee must not exceed
$1,000 annually for each telephone solicitor, regardless of the number of revised
editions of the list that are published during the calendar year.
Sec. 14. 1.
Except as otherwise provided in section 15 of this act, a telephone
solicitor shall not intentionally make an unsolicited telephone call for the
sale of goods or services to a telephone number in the currently effective
version of the list of telephone numbers in the registry.
2. A person who obtains a copy of or access to
the registry or to any version of the list of telephone numbers in the registry
shall not use that information for any purpose other than determining whether a
particular telephone number is available for an unsolicited telephone call for
the sale of goods or services.
3. For the purposes of this section, a version
of the list of telephone numbers in the registry is deemed to be the currently
effective version of the list for the period beginning on the 31st day after it
is published and ending on the 30th day after the next version is published.
Sec. 15. 1. The provisions of section 14 of this act do
not prohibit a telephone solicitor from making or causing another person to
make an unsolicited telephone call for the sale of goods or services to a
telephone number in the currently effective version of the list of telephone
numbers in the registry if:
(a) There is a preexisting
business relationship between the telephone solicitor and the person who is
called; and
(b) The telephone solicitor
complies with the provisions of this section.
2. Before a telephone solicitor may make or
cause another person to make an unsolicited telephone call for the sale of
goods or services based on a preexisting business relationship, the telephone
solicitor must establish and maintain an internal do-not-call registry that
complies with federal and state laws and regulations. The internal do-not-call
registry must:
(a) Include, without
limitation, a list of the telephone numbers of any person who has requested
that the telephone solicitor not make or cause another person to make an
unsolicited telephone call for the sale of goods or services to a telephone
number of the person making the request; and
(b) Upon request, be
provided by the telephone solicitor to the Attorney General.
3. In addition to the requirements set forth in
subsection 2, at least once each year, the telephone solicitor shall provide
written notice to each person with whom the telephone solicitor has a
preexisting business relationship. The written notice must:
(a) Inform the person that
the telephone solicitor is providing the notice pursuant to state law;
(b) Explain to the person
that the telephone solicitor may elect to be placed on the internal do-not-call
list of the telephone solicitor and specify the procedures for making such an
election; and
(c) Explain to the person
that the person may contact the customer service department of the telephone
solicitor or the Attorney General to obtain further information concerning the
provisions of this section and must provide the current address, telephone
number and electronic mail address of the customer service department of the
telephone solicitor and the Attorney General.
4. As used in this section, “preexisting
business relationship” means a relationship between a telephone solicitor and a
person that is based on:
(a) The person’s purchase,
rental or lease of goods or services directly from the telephone solicitor, but
not from any affiliate or associate of the telephone solicitor; or
(b) Any other financial
transaction directly between the person and the telephone solicitor, but not
between the person and any affiliate or associate of the telephone solicitor,
that occurs within the 18 months immediately preceding the date of the
unsolicited telephone call for the sale of goods or services.
Sec.
16. If
the Attorney General has reason to believe that a person has violated any of
the provisions of sections 5 to 19, inclusive, of this act or any regulation
adopted pursuant thereto, he may institute an appropriate legal proceeding
against the person in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Sec. 17. A violation of a provision of sections 5 to
19, inclusive, of this act constitutes a deceptive trade practice for the
purposes of NRS 598.0903 to 598.0999, inclusive.
Sec. 18. 1.
The Registry Fund is hereby created as a special revenue fund in the State
Treasury for the use of the Attorney General.
2. All money collected by the Attorney General
pursuant to section 13 of this act must be deposited in the State Treasury for
credit to the Registry Fund. The interest and income earned on the money in the
Registry Fund, after deducting any applicable charges, must be credited to the
Registry Fund.
3. Expenditures from the Registry Fund must be
made only to administer and enforce the provisions of sections 5 to 19,
inclusive, of this act.
4. The Attorney General shall administer the
Registry Fund. All claims against the Registry Fund must be paid as other
claims against the State are paid.
5. Any money remaining in the Registry Fund at
the end of a fiscal year does not revert to the State General Fund, and the
balance in the Registry Fund must be carried forward to the next fiscal year.
6. Each year, the Attorney General shall submit
an itemized statement of the income and expenditures for the Registry Fund:
(a) To the Legislature, if
the Legislature is in session; or
(b) To the Interim Finance
Committee, if the Legislature is not in session.
Sec. 19. The Attorney General shall adopt regulations
to carry out the provisions of sections 5 to 19, inclusive, of this act.
Sec. 20. Section 5 of Assembly Bill No. 343 of this
session is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 5. 1.
Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2:
(a) A seller of travel
shall maintain a trust account in a bank, credit union or savings and loan
association in this state for the purpose of depositing all money that a
consumer pays to the seller of travel for the purchase of travel services or a
vacation certificate.
(b) If a consumer pays
money to a seller of travel for the purchase of travel services or a vacation
certificate, the seller of travel shall deposit all such money in the trust
account maintained by the seller of travel not later than 2 business days after
the date on which the consumer pays the money to the seller of travel.
(c) The seller of travel
shall pay out of the trust account the money paid to the seller of travel by
the consumer as needed to complete the purchase of the travel services or
vacation certificate purchased by the consumer.
2. The provisions of this section do not apply
to a seller of travel who deposits security with the Division pursuant to NRS
598.375.
Sec. 21. Section 7 of Assembly Bill No. 343 of this
session is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 7. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection
5, a consumer who is eligible for recovery from the account must file a
complaint with the Division or its designee not later than 1 year after
the scheduled date of completion of the travel purchased by the consumer. The
consumer must file the complaint on a form established for this purpose by the
Division.
2. If the Division receives a complaint
pursuant to subsection 1, the Division or its designee shall hold a hearing on
the complaint. The Division shall:
(a) Affix the time and
place for the hearing; and
(b) Notify the interested
parties, in writing, at least 10 days before the date affixed for the hearing,
of the time and place of the hearing.
3. Any testimony taken at the hearing must be
considered a part of the record of the hearing before the Division or its
designee.
4. The hearing must be public if a request is
made for a public hearing.
5. If a consumer has obtained a judgment in any
court of competent jurisdiction for recovery of damages against a seller of
travel, the consumer may file with the Division or its designee a complaint for
recovery of the judgment from the account. The consumer must file the complaint
not later than 2 years after the entry of the judgment. The consumer is
eligible for recovery of the judgment from the account if:
(a) The judgment is for
actual damages suffered by the consumer as a result of:
(1) Any act of fraud or
misrepresentation by the seller of travel acting in his capacity as a seller of
travel;
(2) The bankruptcy of
the seller of travel;
(3) The breach of any
contract entered into by the seller of travel in his capacity as a seller of
travel; or
(4) The violation by
the seller of travel of any provision of NRS 598.305 to 598.395, inclusive, and
sections 2 to 10, inclusive, of this act;
(b) The proceedings in
connection with the judgment, including all appeals, have terminated;
(c) The consumer files the
complaint on a form established for this purpose by the Division;
(d) The consumer submits
proof satisfactory to the Division of the judgment; and
(e) Upon obtaining payment
from the account, the consumer assigns his rights to enforce the judgment to
the Division.
6. If a consumer files a complaint pursuant to
this section, the Division or its designee shall act upon the complaint not
later than 60 days after the date on which the complaint is filed with the
Division, unless the Division:
(a) Determines that the
complaint involves complex issues that may not reasonably be resolved within 60
days; and
(b) Notifies the interested
parties, in writing, that the time for acting on the complaint will be
extended. If the Division provides such notice to the interested parties, the
Division shall act upon the complaint not later than 180 days after the date on
which the complaint is filed with the Division.
Sec. 22. Section 8 of Assembly Bill No. 343 of this
session is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 8. 1.
Except
as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a consumer is eligible for recovery from
the account if:
(a) The Division or its
designee, after conducting a hearing on a complaint filed pursuant to the
provisions of subsection 1 of section 7 of this act, finds that the consumer
suffered actual damages as a result of:
(1) Any act of fraud or
misrepresentation by the seller of travel acting in his capacity as a seller of
travel;
(2) The bankruptcy of
the seller of travel;
(3) The breach of any
contract entered into by the seller of travel in his capacity as a seller of
travel; or
(4) The violation by
the seller of travel of any provision of NRS 598.305 to 598.395, inclusive, and
sections 2 to 10, inclusive, of this act; or
(b) The consumer complies
with the provisions of subsection 5 of section 7 of this act for the recovery
of a judgment from the account.
2. A consumer is not eligible for recovery from
the account if:
(a) The consumer is the
spouse of the seller of travel or is a personal representative of the spouse of
the seller of travel;
(b) The consumer was
associated in a business relationship with the seller of travel other than with
regard to the travel services or vacation certificate at issue;
(c) At the time the
consumer paid money to the seller of travel for the purchase of the travel
services or vacation certificate at issue, the seller of travel was not
registered with the Division as required by NRS 598.365; or
(d) The consumer is seeking
recovery of losses which were incurred by the consumer as the result of a
cancellation penalty that:
(1) Was fully disclosed
and agreed to by the consumer at the time the consumer entered into the contract
for the purchase of the travel services or vacation certificate at issue; and
(2) Was imposed against
the consumer, in accordance with the terms of the contract, after the
cancellation of the travel services or vacation certificate at issue.
3. If the Division or its designee finds that a
consumer is eligible for recovery from the account pursuant to this section,
the Division or its designee may pay out of the account:
(a) If the complaint was
filed pursuant to subsection 1 of section 7 of this act, the amount of actual
damages suffered, but not to exceed $10,000; or
(b) If the complaint was
filed pursuant to subsection 5 of section 7 of this act, the amount of actual
damages included in the judgment and remaining unpaid, but not to exceed
$10,000.
4. If a consumer has recovered a portion of his
losses from sources other than the account, the Division shall deduct the
amount recovered from the other sources from the amount payable upon the claim
and direct the difference to be paid from the account.
5. To the extent that payments are made from
the account to a consumer, the Division is subrogated to the rights of the
consumer. The Division and the Attorney General shall promptly enforce all
subrogation claims.
6. The amount of recovery from the account
based upon claims made against any single seller of travel:
(a) Must not exceed
$200,000; and
(b) For any single action
of the seller of travel, must not exceed 20 percent of the balance of the
account.
Sec. 23. Section 9 of Assembly Bill No. 343 of this
session is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 9. 1. A seller of travel shall display
conspicuously, at each place of business of the seller of travel and on any
website maintained by the seller of travel for business purposes, a legible and
typewritten statement that notifies consumers that they may be eligible to
recover certain financial damages from the Recovery Fund. The written statement
must be in substantially the following form:
RECOVERY FUND FOR CONSUMERS
DAMAGED BY SELLERS OF TRAVEL
You may be eligible for
payment from the Recovery Fund if you have paid money to a seller of travel
registered in this state for the purchase of travel services or a vacation
certificate and you have suffered certain financial damages as a result of the
transaction. To obtain information relating to your rights under the Recovery
Fund and the filing of a claim for recovery from the Recovery Fund, you may
contact the Consumer Affairs Division of the Department of Business and
Industry at the following locations:
SOUTHERN NEVADA: 1850 East Sahara Avenue
Suite 101
Las Vegas, Nevada 89104
Phone: 702.486.7355
Fax: 702.486.7371
NORTHERN NEVADA: 4600 Kietzke Lane
Building B, Suite 113
Reno, Nevada 89502
Phone: 775.688.1800
Fax: 775.688.1803
2. The Division may impose upon a seller of
travel an administrative fine of not more than:
(a) For the first violation
of subsection 1, $100; and
(b) For a second or
subsequent violation of subsection 1, $250.
3. The Division shall deposit any money
received pursuant to this section in the account established pursuant to
section 6 of this act.
4. The provisions of NRS 598.305 to 598.395,
inclusive, and sections 2 to 10, inclusive, of this act do not limit the
authority of the Division to take disciplinary action against a seller of
travel.
Sec. 24. Section 10 of Assembly Bill No. 343 of this
session is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 10. 1. The Division shall:
(a) On or before February 1
of each year, prepare and submit to the Director of the Legislative Counsel
Bureau for transmittal to the appropriate legislative committee if the
Legislature is in session, or to the Interim Finance Committee if the
Legislature is not in session, a statement of the condition of the account that
is prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
(b) Employ accountants as
necessary for the performance of the duties set forth in this section and pay
any related expenses from the money in the account. Except as otherwise provided
in subsection 3, the expenditures made by the Division pursuant to this
paragraph must not exceed $10,000 in any fiscal year.
(c) Employ or contract with
persons and procure necessary equipment, supplies and services to be paid from
or purchased with the money in the account as may be necessary to monitor or
process claims filed by consumers that may result in a recovery from the
account.
2. Any interest earned on the money in the
account must be credited to the account. The Division may expend the interest
earned on the money in the account to increase public awareness of the account.
Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, the expenditures made by the
Division for this purpose must not exceed $50,000 in any fiscal year.
3. The total expenditures made by the Division
pursuant to this section must not exceed 10 percent of the account in any
fiscal year.
4. Once an initial balance of $200,000 exists
in the account, the Division shall maintain a minimum balance of $200,000 in
the account.
5. The Division shall adopt such regulations as
are necessary to carry out the provisions of NRS 598.305 to 598.395, inclusive,
and sections 2 to 10, inclusive, of this act, including, without limitation,
regulations governing:
(a) The disbursement of
money from the account; and
(b) The manner in which a
complaint is filed with the Division or its designee pursuant to the provisions
of section 7 of this act.
Sec. 25. Section 11 of Assembly Bill No. 343 of this
session is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 11. NRS 598.0999 is hereby amended to read as follows:
598.0999 1. A
person who violates a court order or injunction issued pursuant to the
provisions of NRS 598.0903 to 598.0999, inclusive, upon a complaint brought by
the Commissioner, the Director, the district attorney of any county of this
state or the Attorney General shall forfeit and pay to the State General Fund a
civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each violation. For the purpose
of this section, the court issuing the order or injunction retains jurisdiction
over the action or proceeding. Such civil penalties are in addition to any
other penalty or remedy available for the enforcement of the provisions of NRS
598.0903 to 598.0999, inclusive.
2. In any action brought pursuant to the provisions
of NRS 598.0903 to 598.0999, inclusive, if the court finds that a person has
willfully engaged in a deceptive trade practice, the Commissioner, the
Director, the district attorney of any county in this state or the Attorney
General bringing the action may recover a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500
for each violation. The court in any such action may, in addition to any other
relief or reimbursement, award reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.
3. A natural person, firm, or any officer or
managing agent of any corporation or association who knowingly and willfully
engages in a deceptive trade practice:
(a) For the
first offense, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) For the
second offense, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
(c) For the
third and all subsequent offenses, is guilty of a category D felony and shall
be punished as provided in NRS 193.130.
4. Any offense which occurred within 10 years
immediately preceding the date of the principal offense or after the principal
offense constitutes a prior offense for the purposes of subsection 3 when
evidenced by a conviction, without regard to the sequence of the offenses and
convictions.
5. If a person violates any provision of NRS
598.0903 to 598.0999, inclusive, 598.100 to 598.2801, inclusive, 598.305 to
598.395, inclusive, and sections 2 to 10,
inclusive, of this act, 598.405 to 598.525, inclusive, and section 10.5 of this act, 598.741 to 598.787, inclusive, or
598.840 to 598.966, inclusive, fails to comply with a judgment or order of any
court in this state concerning a violation of such a provision, or fails to
comply with an assurance of discontinuance or other agreement concerning an
alleged violation of such a provision, the Commissioner or the district
attorney of any county may bring an action in the name of the State of Nevada
seeking:
(a) The
suspension of the person’s privilege to conduct business within this state; or
(b) If the
defendant is a corporation, dissolution of the corporation.
The court may grant or deny
the relief sought or may order other appropriate relief.
Sec. 26. Section 12 of Assembly Bill No. 343 of this
session is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 12. NRS 598.305 is hereby amended to read as follows:
598.305 As used in NRS
598.305 to 598.395, inclusive, and
sections 2 to 10, inclusive, of this act, unless the context otherwise
requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 598.315 to 598.356, inclusive, and sections 2 and 3 of this act have
the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.
Sec. 27. Section 14 of Assembly Bill No. 343 of this
session is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 14. NRS 598.365 is hereby amended to read as follows:
598.365 1.
Before advertising its services or conducting business in this state, a
seller of travel must register with the Division by:
(a)
Submitting to the Division an application for registration on a form prescribed
by the Division;
(b) Paying
to the Division a fee of $25; [and]
(c)
Depositing the security required pursuant to NRS 598.375, if any, with the Division
[.] ; and
(d) Paying to the Division a fee of $100 for
deposit to the account established pursuant to section 6 of this act.
2. The Division shall
issue a certificate of registration to the seller of travel upon receipt of :
(a) The security in the proper form if the seller of travel is
required to deposit security pursuant to NRS 598.375; and
(b) The
payment of [the fee] any fees
required by this section.
3. A certificate of registration:
(a) Is not
transferable or assignable; and
(b) Expires
1 year after it is issued.
4. A seller of travel must renew a certificate
of registration issued pursuant to this section before the certificate expires
by:
(a)
Submitting to the Division an application for the renewal of the certificate on
a form prescribed by the Division; [and]
(b) Paying to the Division a fee of $25 [.] ; and
(c) Paying to the Division a fee of $100 for
deposit to the account established pursuant to section 6 of this act.
5. The Division shall mail an application for
the renewal of a certificate to the last known address of a seller of travel at
least 30 days before the expiration of the certificate.
6. The provisions of this section do not
require a person described in paragraph (a) of subsection 2 of NRS 598.335 to
register with the Division.
Sec. 28. Section 15 of Assembly Bill No. 343 of this
session is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 15. (Deleted by
amendment.)
Sec. 29. 1. This section becomes effective upon passage
and approval.
2. Sections 1, 2, 3 and 3.5
to 19, inclusive, of this act become effective upon passage and approval for
the purposes of adopting regulations and entering into contracts or otherwise
preparing to carry out the provisions of this act.
3. Sections 3.3 and 20 to
28, inclusive, of this act become effective on October 1, 2003.
4. Sections 1, 2, 3 and
3.5 to 19, inclusive, of this act become effective on January 1, 2004, for the
purpose of the Attorney General making the determination described in
subsection 1 of section 9 of this act.
5. If the Attorney
General makes the determination described in subsection 1 of section 9 of this
act on or before April 1, 2004, sections 1, 2, 3 and 3.5 to 19, inclusive, of
this act become effective on May 1, 2004, for all other purposes.
6. If the Attorney
General does not make the determination described in subsection 1 of section 9
of this act on or before April 1, 2004, sections 1, 2, 3 and 3.5 to 19,
inclusive, of this act become effective:
(a) On May 1, 2004, for the purposes of the Attorney General
receiving and accepting requests to include telephone numbers in the registry
established pursuant to section 10 of this act.
(b) On June 1, 2004, for the purpose of publishing the first list
of telephone numbers in the registry; and
(c) On July 1, 2004, for all other purposes.”.
Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:
“AN ACT relating to trade practices; requiring the establishment
of a registry of certain telephone numbers or the use of a similar federal
list; requiring the publication of a list of certain telephone numbers or the
use of a similar federal list; prohibiting a telephone solicitor from making an
unsolicited telephone call for the sale of goods or services to a telephone
number included in the currently effective version of the list under certain
circumstances; providing that the making of an unsolicited telephone call for
the sale of goods and services is a deceptive trade practice under certain
circumstances; providing that a seller of travel may maintain a trust account
or post security; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.”.
Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:
“SUMMARY—Revises provisions relating to trade practices.
(BDR 52‑1073)”.
Amend the joint sponsors of the bill to read as follows:
“JOINT SPONSORS: SENATORS
TOWNSEND, AMODEI, TITUS, HARDY, CARLTON, CARE, CEGAVSKE, MATHEWS, MCGINNESS,
NEAL, NOLAN, O'CONNELL, RAGGIO, RAWSON, SCHNEIDER, SHAFFER, TIFFANY, WASHINGTON
AND WIENER.”.
Warren B. Hardy |
David Goldwater |
Ann O'Connell |
Marcus Conklin |
Maggie Carlton |
Josh Griffin |
Senate Conference Committee |
Assembly Conference
Committee |
Senator Hardy moved that the Senate adopt the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 232.
Remarks by Senator Hardy.
Motion carried by a two-thirds majority.
Madam
President:
The
first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 249, consisting of the
undersigned members, has met and reports that:
It
has agreed to recommend that the amendment of the Senate be receded from.
Raymond D. Rawson |
Chris Giunchigliani |
Bernice Mathews |
Peggy Pierce |
Bob Coffin |
Pete Goicoechea |
Senate Conference Committee |
Assembly Conference
Committee |
Senator Rawson moved that the Senate adopt the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 249.
Remarks by Senator Rawson.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
Madam
President:
The
first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 250, consisting of the
undersigned members, has met and reports that:
It
has agreed to recommend that the amendment of the Senate be concurred in.
It
has agreed to recommend that the bill be further amended as set forth in
Conference Amendment No. 31, which is attached to and hereby made a part of
this report.
Conference
Amendment.
Amend sec. 7, page 8, line 3, by deleting: “destruction or contamination” and inserting: “destruction, contamination or impairment”.
Amend sec. 26, page 16, line 10, by deleting “instruction” and inserting: “instruction, within 2 years after
initial licensure,”.
Amend sec. 26, page 16, between lines 25 and 26, by inserting: “The Board may thereafter determine whether
to establish regulations and standards requiring additional courses of
instruction relating to the medical consequences of an act of terrorism that
involves the use of a weapon of mass destruction.”.
Amend sec. 28, page 18, line 23, by deleting “instruction” and inserting: “instruction, within 2 years after
initial licensure,”.
Amend sec. 28, page 18, between lines 38 and 39, by inserting: “The Board may thereafter determine whether
to include in a program of continuing education additional courses of
instruction relating to the medical consequences of an act of terrorism that
involves the use of a weapon of mass destruction.”.
Amend sec. 29, page 19, line 14, by deleting “instruction” and inserting: “instruction, within 2 years after
initial licensure,”.
Amend sec. 29, page 19, between lines 28 and 29, by inserting: “The Board may thereafter determine whether
to include in a program of continuing education additional courses of
instruction relating to the medical consequences of an act of terrorism that
involves the use of a weapon of mass destruction.”.
Amend sec. 30, page 20, line 12, by deleting “instruction” and inserting: “instruction, to be completed within 2 years
after initial licensure,”.
Amend sec. 30, page 20, between lines 27 and 28, by inserting: “The Board may thereafter determine whether
to include in a program of continuing education additional courses of
instruction relating to the medical consequences of an act of terrorism that
involves the use of a weapon of mass destruction.”.
Amend the bill as a whole by deleting sec. 31 and adding a new
section designated sec. 31, following sec. 30, to read as follows:
“Sec. 31. Each person who is:
1. Certified as an
emergency medical technician pursuant to the provisions of chapter 450B of NRS;
2. Licensed as a
physician assistant or licensed to practice medicine pursuant to the provisions
of chapter 630 of NRS;
3. Licensed to practice
dentistry or dental hygiene pursuant to the provisions of chapter 631 of NRS;
or
4. Licensed as a nurse
pursuant to the provisions of chapter 632 of NRS,
and who is not within the
period of his initial licensure on October 1, 2003, shall complete a course of
instruction, before September 30, 2005, relating to the medical consequences of
an act of terrorism that involves the use of a weapon of mass destruction as
set forth in sections 26, 28, 29 and 30, respectively, of this act.”.
Amend sec. 33, page 22, line 12, by deleting “31”.
Amend sec. 33, page 22, line 14, by deleting: “26, 28, 29 and 30”
and inserting: “26 and 28 to 31, inclusive,”.
Amend the title of the bill, page 2, by deleting the tenth
through twelfth lines and inserting: “terrorism; and providing”.
Mark E. Amodei |
William Horne |
Terry Care |
Jason Geddes |
Mike McGinness |
Marcus Conklin |
Senate Conference Committee |
Assembly Conference
Committee |
Senator Amodei moved that the Senate adopt the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Assembly Bill No. 250.
Remarks by Senator Amodei.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
Motion carried.
Senate in recess at 12:11 a.m.
SENATE IN SESSION
At 12:41 a.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Quorum present.
REPORTS
OF COMMITTEES
Madam
President:
Your
Committee on Legislative Affairs and Operations, to which was referred Assembly
Concurrent Resolution No. 19, has had the same under consideration, and begs
leave to report the same back with the recommendation: Amend, and be adopted as
amended.
Maurice E. Washington, Chairman
Madam
President:
Your
Committee on Natural Resources, to which was referred Assembly Bill No. 474,
has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back
with the recommendation: Do pass.
Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman
MESSAGES FROM THE ASSEMBLY
Assembly
Chamber, Carson
City, June 2, 2003
To the
Honorable the Senate:
I
have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly on this day
passed Assembly Bill No. 553; Senate Bills Nos. 471, 507.
Also,
I have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly amended, and
on this day passed, as amended, Senate Bill No. 3, Amendment No. 955; Senate
Bill No. 292, Amendment No. 992; Senate Bill No. 306, Amendments Nos. 746,
1015; Senate Bill No. 355, Amendment No. 787; Senate Bill No. 447, Amendment
No. 986, and respectfully requests your honorable body to concur in said
amendments.
INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING AND REFERENCE
Assembly Bill No. 553.
Senator Raggio moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion carried.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
Motion carried.
Senate in recess at 12:44 a.m.
SENATE IN SESSION
At 12:50 a.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Quorum present.
REPORTS
OF COMMITTEES
Madam
President:
Your
Committee on Finance, to which were referred Assembly Bills Nos. 482, 553, 555,
has had the same under consideration, and begs leave to report the same back
with the recommendation: Do pass.
William J. Raggio, Chairman
motions,
Resolutions and notices
Senator Raggio moved to take Assembly Bill No. 553 as the next order of business on the General File.
Motion
carried.
GENERAL FILE AND THIRD READING
Assembly Bill No. 553.
Bill read third time.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 553:
Yeas—17.
Nays—Cegavske, O'Connell, Tiffany—3.
Absent—Washington.
Assembly Bill No. 553 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
motions,
Resolutions and notices
Senator Raggio moved to take Assembly Bill No. 555 as the next order of business on the General File.
Motion
carried.
GENERAL FILE AND THIRD READING
Assembly Bill No. 555.
Bill read third time.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 555:
Yeas—19.
Nays—O'Connell.
Absent—Washington.
Assembly Bill No. 555 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
motions,
Resolutions and notices
Senator Raggio moved to take Assembly Bill No. 482 as the next order of business on the General File.
Motion
carried.
GENERAL FILE AND THIRD READING
Assembly Bill No. 482.
Bill read third time.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 482:
Yeas—21.
Nays—None.
Assembly Bill No. 482 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
Assembly Bill No. 474.
Bill read third time.
Roll call on Assembly Bill No. 474:
Yeas—21.
Nays—None.
Assembly Bill No. 474 having received a constitutional majority, Madam President declared it passed.
Bill ordered transmitted to the Assembly.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Consideration
of Assembly Amendments
Senate Bill No. 3.
The following Assembly amendment was read:
Amendment No. 1009.
Amend section 1, page 2, line 26, after “state” by inserting: “whose population is less than 100,000”.
Amend section 1, page 2, line 35, by deleting “Five” and inserting “Ten”.
Amend section 1, page 2, line 40, after “state” by inserting: “whose population is less than 100,000”.
Senator Amodei moved that the Senate concur in the Assembly amendment to Senate Bill No. 3.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
Bill ordered enrolled.
Senate Bill No. 292.
The following Assembly amendment was read:
Amendment No. 992.
Amend section 1, pages 1 and 2, by deleting lines 1 through 13 on page 1 and lines 1 through 43 on page 2, and inserting:
“Section 1. 1. The Legislative Commission shall appoint a committee consisting of six Legislators to conduct an interim study of the impact of Nevada’s industrial insurance program on injured workers, employers and insurers.
2. The Legislative Commission shall appoint to the committee three members of the Senate and three members of the Assembly who are acquainted with the statutory program for industrial insurance in this state.
3. The study must include, without limitation:
(a) An examination of the procedures for resolving contested industrial insurance claims filed by injured workers, the costs to injured workers, employers and insurers in litigating such claims, the effect of the benefit penalty on the resolution of such claims, and the timeliness of resolving such claims;
(b) Consideration of whether it is appropriate to reimburse injured workers for time off of work when they are receiving medical treatment for compensable industrial injuries or illnesses, including the cost of such reimbursement to employers and insurers and the impacts on injured workers of not making such reimbursement;
(c) Consideration of whether it is appropriate to increase benefits retroactively to a claimant or dependant of a claimant who is entitled to receive compensation pursuant to chapters 616A to 617, inclusive, of NRS for a permanent total disability caused by an industrial injury or a disablement from an occupational disease that occurs before July 1, 2004, and if so, consideration of the sources for paying for such increased benefits; and
(d) A review of the impact of legislation enacted during the 2003 Legislative Session on injured workers, employers and insurers.
4. In conducting the study, the committee shall seek information and suggestions from experts in the area of industrial insurance and from various representatives of injured workers, employers and insurers.
5. Any recommended legislation proposed by the committee must be approved by a majority of the members of the Senate and a majority of the members of the Assembly who are appointed to the committee.
6. The Legislative Commission shall submit a report of the results of the study and any recommendations for legislation to the 73rd Session of the Nevada Legislature.”.
Amend the bill as a whole by renumbering sec. 2 as sec. 3 and adding a new section designated sec. 2, following section 1, to read as follows:
“Sec. 2. 1. The Commissioner of Insurance may conduct a study to review pricing mechanisms for medical professional liability insurance.
2. If the Commissioner of Insurance conducts a study pursuant to this section, the Commissioner shall submit a report of the results of the study to the Governor and the Legislative Commission.”.
Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:
“AN ACT relating to insurance; directing the Legislative Commission to appoint a committee to study the impact of Nevada’s industrial insurance program on injured workers, employers and insurers; authorizing the Commissioner of Insurance to conduct a study to review pricing mechanisms for medical professional liability insurance; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.”.
Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:
“SUMMARY—Directs Legislative Commission to appoint committee to study impact of Nevada’s industrial insurance program on injured workers, employers and insurers and authorizes Commissioner of Insurance to conduct study to review pricing mechanisms for medical professional liability insurance. (BDR S‑784)”.
Senator Washington moved that the Senate concur in the Assembly amendment to Senate Bill No. 292.
Remarks by Senator Washington.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
Bill ordered enrolled.
Senate Bill No. 400.
The following Assembly amendment was read:
Amendment No. 922.
Amend sec. 6, page 2, by deleting lines 18 through 21 and inserting:
“Sec. 6. “Telecommunication service” means the offering of telecommunication for a fee directly to the public, or such classes of users as to be effectively available directly to the public, regardless of the facilities used.”.
Amend the bill as a whole by adding a new section designated sec. 7.5, following sec. 7, to read as follows:
“Sec.
7.5. 1. Except as otherwise provided
in subsection 2, each public utility which provides telecommunication services
shall provide timely written notice to a customer of the duration of each call
that is billed to the customer, reported in minutes, seconds or any fraction
thereof, if the charges for the telecommunication services are calculated, in
whole or in part, on the basis of the duration of the call.
2. The provisions of this section do not apply to measured rate service that is regulated by the Commission.”.
Amend sec. 8, page 2, line 27, by deleting “2,” and inserting: “2 and NRS 704.68984,”.
Amend sec. 8, page 2, by deleting lines 31 through 41 and inserting:
“2. The provisions of subsection 1 do not limit or modify the authority of the Commission to:”.
Amend sec. 8, page 2, line 42, by deleting “(1) Considering” and inserting “(a) Consider”.
Amend sec. 8, page 3, by deleting lines 3 through 5 and inserting:
“(b) Act on a complaint filed pursuant to NRS 703.310, if the complaint relates to a broadband service that is provided by a public utility;”.
Amend sec. 8, page 3, line 6, by deleting “(3) Including” and inserting “(c) Include”.
Amend sec. 8, page 3, line 10, by deleting “704.033.” and inserting: “704.033; or
(d) Determine the rates, terms and conditions of intrastate special access services.”.
Amend sec. 8, page 3, line 15, by deleting “190” and inserting “200”.
Amend sec. 12, pages 9 and 10, by deleting lines 43 through 45 on page 9 and lines 1 through 5 on page 10.
Amend sec. 12, page 10, line 6, by deleting “13.” and inserting “12.”.
Amend sec. 23, page 15, line 37, by deleting “10-days’ ”and inserting “20‑days’ ”.
Amend sec. 23, page 16, line 42, by deleting “10-days’ ”and inserting “20‑days’ ”.
Amend sec. 28, page 18, line 35, after “of” by inserting: “section 8 of this act and”.
Amend sec. 28, page 18, line 40, by deleting
“the” and inserting: “[the] :
(a) The”.
Amend sec. 28, page 18, line 44, by deleting
“56-161.” and inserting: “56‑161 [.] ; or
(b) The authority of the Commission to act pursuant to NRS 704.281 and 704.282.”.
Amend the title of the bill, twelfth line,
by deleting “service;” and inserting: “service under certain circumstances;
requiring a consumer to be notified of the duration of a call under certain
circumstances;”.
Senator Townsend moved that the Senate concur in the Assembly amendment to Senate Bill No. 400.
Remarks by Senator Townsend.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
Bill ordered enrolled.
Madam
President:
The
second Conference Committee concerning Senate Bill No. 229, consisting of the
undersigned members, has met and reports that:
It
has agreed to recommend that the amendment of the Assembly be concurred in.
It
has agreed to recommend that the bill be further amended as set forth in
Conference Amendment No. 42, which is attached to and hereby made a part of
this report.
Conference
Amendment.
Amend section 1, page 2, by deleting lines 13 and 14 and inserting:
“3. The requirements of this section do not
apply to a proceeding in which the legal rights, duties or privileges of a
party are required by law to be determined by a state or local governmental
agency after an opportunity for hearing, or in which an administrative penalty
may be imposed.”.
Amend sec. 2, pages 4 and 5, by deleting lines 40 through 44 on
page 4 and lines 1 and 2 on page 5, and inserting:
“(2) If feasible for the public body and the requester has
agreed to receive the public notice by electronic mail, transmitted to the
requester by electronic mail sent not later than 9 a.m. of the third working
day before the meeting.”.
Amend sec. 4.5, page 8, by deleting line 29 and inserting:
“1. A meeting or”.
Amend sec. 4.5, page 8, between lines 34 and 35, by inserting:
“2. A meeting held pursuant to NRS 213.130 or
any other meeting or hearing that may result in a recommendation or final
decision to grant, deny, continue or revoke the parole of a prisoner, and a
meeting or hearing to commute a sentence, restore a person’s civil rights,
grant a pardon or reprieve or remit a fine or forfeiture, must be open to the
public.”.
Amend the bill as a whole by adding a new section designated sec.
4.7, following sec. 4.5, to read as follows:
“Sec. 4.7. NRS 213.130
is hereby amended to read as follows:
213.130 1. The Department of Corrections shall:
(a) Determine when a prisoner sentenced to imprisonment in the
state prison is eligible to be considered for parole;
(b) Notify the State Board of Parole Commissioners of the
eligibility of the prisoner to be considered for parole; and
(c) Before a meeting to consider the prisoner for parole, compile
and provide to the Board data that will assist the Board in determining whether
parole should be granted.
2. If a prisoner is being
considered for parole from a sentence imposed for conviction of a crime which involved
the use of force or violence against a victim and which resulted in bodily harm
to a victim and if original or duplicate photographs that depict the injuries
of the victim or the scene of the crime were admitted at the trial of the
prisoner or were part of the report of the presentence investigation and are
reasonably available, a representative sample of such photographs must be
included with the information submitted to the Board at the meeting. A prisoner
may not bring a cause of action against the State of Nevada, its political
subdivisions, agencies, boards, commissions, departments, officers or employees
for any action that is taken pursuant to this subsection or for failing to take
any action pursuant to this subsection, including, without limitation, failing
to include photographs or including only certain photographs. As used in this
subsection, “photograph” includes any video, digital or other photographic
image.
3. Meetings to consider
prisoners for parole may be held semiannually or more often, on such dates as
may be fixed by the Board. [All meetings must be open to the public.]
4. Not later than 5 days
after the date on which the Board fixes the date of the meeting to consider a
prisoner for parole, the Board shall notify the victim of the prisoner who is
being considered for parole of the date of the meeting and of his rights
pursuant to this subsection, if the victim has requested notification in
writing and has provided his current address or if the victim’s current address
is otherwise known by the Board. The victim of a prisoner being considered for
parole may submit documents to the Board and may testify at the meeting held to
consider the prisoner for parole. A prisoner must not be considered for parole
until the Board has notified any victim of his rights pursuant to this
subsection and he is given the opportunity to exercise those rights. If a
current address is not provided to or otherwise known by the Board, the Board
must not be held responsible if such notification is not received by the
victim.
5. The Board may
deliberate in private after a public meeting held to consider a prisoner for
parole.
6. The Board of State
Prison Commissioners shall provide suitable and convenient rooms or space for
use of the Board.
7. If a victim is
notified of a meeting to consider a prisoner for parole pursuant to
subsection 4, the Board shall, upon making a final decision concerning the
parole of the prisoner, notify the victim of its final decision.
8. All personal
information, including, but not limited to, a current or former address, which
pertains to a victim and which is received by the Board pursuant to this
section is confidential.
9. For the purposes of
this section, “victim” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 213.005.”.
Amend the bill as a whole by adding a new section designated sec.
16.9, following sec. 16.8, to read as follows:
“Sec. 16.9. NRS 361.300 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
361.300 1. On or before January 1 of each year, the
county assessor shall transmit to the county clerk, post at the front door of
the courthouse and publish in a newspaper published in the county a notice to
the effect that the secured tax roll is completed and open for inspection by
interested persons of the county.
2. If the county assessor
fails to complete the assessment roll in the manner and at the time specified
in this section, the board of county commissioners shall not allow him a salary
or other compensation for any day after January 1 during which the roll is not
completed, unless excused by the board of county commissioners.
3. Except as otherwise
provided in subsection 4, each board of county commissioners shall by
resolution, before December 1 of any fiscal year in which assessment is made,
require the county assessor to prepare a list of all the taxpayers on the
secured roll in the county and the total valuation of property on which they
severally pay taxes and direct the county assessor:
(a) To cause such list and valuations to be printed and delivered
by the county assessor or mailed by him on or before January 1 of the fiscal
year in which assessment is made to each taxpayer in the county; or
(b) To [cause] make such
list and valuations [to be published once] available for public inspection on or before January 1 of the
fiscal year in which assessment is made .
[in a newspaper of general circulation in the county.
In addition to complying with
paragraph (a) or (b),] A copy of the list and
valuations [may also be posted] must
be:
(1) Posted in a
public area of [the] all public
libraries and branch libraries located in the county [,] and in a public area of the county
courthouse [and] or the county
office building in which the county assessor’s office is located ; [,] and
(2) Posted on a
website or other Internet site that is operated or administered by or on behalf
of the county or county assessor [.] ,
or, if there is no such site, a copy of the list and valuations must be
published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. Before a
copy of the list and valuations is posted on a website or other Internet site
pursuant to this subparagraph, the board of county commissioners must cause to
be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county a full-page
notice, in at least 10-point bold type or font, setting forth that:
(I) A copy of the
list and valuations is available on a specified website or other Internet site;
and
(II) Upon request
of any person, a copy of the list and valuations will be mailed, without
charge, to the person.
4. A board of county
commissioners may, in the resolution required by subsection 3, authorize the
county assessor not to deliver or mail the list, as provided in paragraph (a)
of subsection 3, to taxpayers whose property is assessed at $1,000 or less and
direct the county assessor to mail to each such taxpayer a statement of the
amount of his assessment. Failure by a taxpayer to receive such a mailed
statement does not invalidate any assessment.
5. The several boards of
county commissioners in the State may allow the bill contracted with their
approval by the county assessor under this section on a claim to be allowed and
paid as are other claims against the county.
6. Whenever property is
appraised or reappraised pursuant to NRS 361.260, the county assessor shall, on
or before December 18 of the fiscal year in which the appraisal or reappraisal
is made, deliver or mail to each owner of such property a written notice
stating its assessed valuation as determined from the appraisal or reappraisal.
7. If the secured tax
roll is changed pursuant to NRS 361.310, the county assessor shall mail an
amended notice of assessed valuation to each affected taxpayer. The notice must
include the dates for appealing the new assessed valuation.
8. Failure by the taxpayer
to receive a notice required by this section does not invalidate the appraisal
or reappraisal.”.
Amend the bill as a whole by adding a new section designated sec.
34.5, following sec. 34, to read as follows:
“Sec. 34.5. NRS 630.100
is hereby amended to read as follows:
630.100 1. The Board shall meet at least twice annually
and may meet at other times on the call of the President or a majority of its
members.
2. Meetings of the Board must be held at a location at which:
(a) The meetings may be
broadcast via the Internet or its successor; and
(b) Members of the general
public may testify via telephone or video conference between Las Vegas and
Carson City or Reno.
3. A majority of the Board, or of any
committee or panel appointed by the Board constitutes a quorum. If there is a
quorum, a vote of the majority of the members present is all that is necessary
to transact any business before the Board or the committee or panel appointed
by the Board.”.
Amend the title of the bill to read as follows:
“AN ACT
relating to public bodies; prohibiting certain public bodies
from voting on an item on the agenda until public comment has been allowed on
the item under certain circumstances; revising provisions governing notice of
meetings of public bodies; requiring certain public bodies to post the minutes
of a public meeting on the Internet; requiring certain public bodies to make
and retain an audio recording of a public meeting; providing that certain
meetings and hearings regarding prisoners and persons on parole or probation
are not subject to the open meeting law but must be open to the public;
requiring that a member of certain agencies be present at a workshop of the
agency concerning a proposed regulation of the agency, if practicable;
authorizing a board of trustees of a general improvement district to increase
the compensation of the trustees under certain circumstances; authorizing the
board of trustees of a general improvement district to adopt and enforce
regulations regarding the date on which a charge for services provided by the
district becomes delinquent; making certain changes regarding the merger,
consolidation or dissolution of certain general improvement districts; revising
the manner in which certain information regarding property taxation be made
available to the public; requiring that meetings of certain professional
licensing boards be held at locations with certain technological capacity; and
providing other matters properly relating thereto.”.
|
Peggy Pierce |
Dina Titus |
Ellen Koivisto |
Barbara Cegavske |
Valerie Weber |
Senate Conference Committee |
Assembly Conference
Committee |
Senator Cegavske moved that the Senate adopt the report of the second Conference Committee concerning Senate Bill No. 229.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
Madam
President:
The
first Conference Committee concerning Senate Bill No. 258, consisting of the
undersigned members, has met and reports that:
It
has agreed to recommend that the amendment(s) of the Assembly be concurred in.
It
has agreed to recommend that the bill be further amended as set forth in
Conference Amendment No. 45, which is attached to and hereby made a part of
this report.
Conference
Amendment.
Amend the bill as a whole by renumbering sec. 3 as sec. 4 and adding a
new section designated sec. 3, following sec. 2, to read as follows:
“Sec. 3. 1.
There is hereby appropriated from the State General Fund to the
University of Nevada School of Medicine the sum of $250,000 for its residency
program.
2. Any balance of the sum
appropriated by subsection 1 must not be committed for expenditure after June
30, 2005, and reverts to the State General Fund as soon as all payments of
money committed have been made.”.
Amend sec. 3, page 2, line 30, by deleting “Section 2” and
inserting: “Sections 2 and 3”.
Amend the title of the bill, third line, by deleting “Medicine”
and inserting: “Medicine, to the University of Nevada School of Medicine for
its residency program”.
Amend the summary of the bill to read as follows:
“SUMMARY—Makes appropriations to University of
Nevada, Reno, for expenses of Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at
School of Medicine, to University of Nevada
School of Medicine for its residency program and to Health Division of
Department of Human Resources for certain HIV/AIDS services. (BDR S‑1204)”.
Raymond D. Rawson |
Morse Arberry Jr. |
Bernice Mathews |
Richard Perkins |
Dean A. Rhoads |
Dawn Gibbons |
Senate Conference Committee |
Assembly Conference
Committee |
Senator Rawson moved that the Senate adopt the report of the first Conference Committee concerning Senate Bill No. 258.
Motion carried by a constitutional majority.
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES
Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 19.
Resolution read.
The following amendment was proposed by the Committee on Legislative Affairs and Operations:
Amendment No. 1036.
Amend the resolution, pages 1 and 2, by deleting lines 15 through 21 on page 1 and lines 1 through 38 on page 2.
Senator Washington moved the adoption of the amendment.
Amendment adopted.
Resolution ordered reprinted, re-engrossed and to the Resolution File.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Signing
of Bills and Resolutions
There being no objections, the President and Secretary signed Senate Bills Nos. 3, 34, 59, 137, 144, 147, 184, 210, 216, 231, 243, 250, 292, 301, 319, 336, 359, 370, 372, 400, 420, 436, 460, 471, 497, 499, 504, 506, 507; Senate Concurrent Resolutions Nos. 13, 31, 32, 41; Assembly Bills Nos. 23, 78, 114, 203, 218, 232, 240, 249, 250, 284, 358, 388, 474, 482, 493, 502, 518, 529, 533, 552, 555; Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 32.
GUESTS EXTENDED PRIVILEGE OF SENATE FLOOR
On request of Senator Raggio, the privilege of the floor of the Senate Chamber for this day was extended to Dale Raggio, Dorothy Souza, Sharon Shaffer and Speaker Perkins.
MESSAGES FROM THE ASSEMBLY
Assembly
Chamber, Carson
City, June 3, 2003
To the
Honorable the Senate:
I
have the honor to inform your honorable body that the Assembly amended, and on
this day passed, as amended, Senate Bill No. 249, Amendment No. 1039, and
respectfully requests your honorable body to concur in said amendment.
Diane
Keetch |
Assistant Chief Clerk of
the Assembly |
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND NOTICES
Madam President appointed Senators Hardy, Rawson and Care as a committee to wait upon His Excellency, Kenny Guinn, Governor of the State of Nevada, and to inform him that the Senate is ready to adjourn sine die.
Madam President appointed Senators Cegavske, Nolan and Wiener as a committee to wait upon the Assembly and to inform that honorable body that the Senate is ready to adjourn sine die.
A committee from the Assembly, consisting of Assemblymen Arberry, Griffin and Anderson appeared before the bar of the Senate and announced that the Assembly is ready to adjourn sine die.
Senator Raggio moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
Motion carried.
Senate in recess at 1:04 a.m.
SENATE IN SESSION
At 1:21 a.m.
President Hunt presiding.
Quorum present.
Senator Cegavske reported that her committee had informed the Assembly that the Senate is ready to adjourn sine die.
Senator Hardy reported that his committee had informed the Governor that the Senate is ready to adjourn sine die.
Senator William J. Raggio moved that the 72nd Session of the Senate of the Legislature of the State of Nevada adjourn sine die.
Motion carried
Senate adjourned sine die at 1:22 a.m.
Approved: Lorraine T. Hunt
President
of the Senate
Attest: Claire J. Clift
Secretary of the Senate