Toll roads on the move with OK from committee

Friday, May 16, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A bill to permit state and local governments to build toll roads in Nevada cleared the Assembly Transportation Committee.

The bill, supported by the Nevada Taxpayers Association, passed Thursday with a 5-2 vote. It was amended shortly before the vote to prohibit existing highways and streets from being converted to toll roads.

Assembly Bill 403, which next week goes to the floor of the Assembly for a final vote, would permit state and local governments to issue bonds to finance the building of the roads. The bonds would have to be paid off in 30 years.

Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, D-North Las Vegas, the head of the committee, wanted assurance that proposed toll roads would be subject to public hearings by local governments and regional transportation commissions.

Martin Hefner, representing the taxpayers association and Stephanie Tyler, a lobbyist for the Washoe County Regional Transportation Commission, said there will be full sets of procedures that local governments will follow.

The two "no" votes came from Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, and Don Gustavson, R-Sun Valley. Cegavske said she opposed the bill because there were not any specific locations set forth in the bill.