LV judge blocks Social Security listing rule

Grace Leong

Thursday, June 1, 2000 | 11:04 a.m.

A Las Vegas general contractor won a temporary restraining order to stop the Nevada State Board of Contractors from revoking his contractor's license after it expired Wednesday.

In a Clark County District Court lawsuit filed Tuesday, Daniel McGavin Hansen, owner of Hansen Enterprises, said the board rejected his application to renew his Class B general building license because it alleged he violated a statute when he failed to provide a Social Security number.

Hansen, who described the statute as "outdated and discriminatory" and said he had submitted all necessary fees and documents except for the Social Security number, is seeking an injunction to stop the board from denying his application on those grounds.

Hansen said he doesn't have a Social Security number because it violates his "legal and religious beliefs."

He first applied for the license on May 11, 1976, and had renewed it annually until last May.

"He got rid of his Social Security number because he believes that number is the precursor to or actual mark of the Beast as prophesied in the (Bible's) Book of Revelations," said Christopher Hansen, Daniel's brother, who assisted in the filing of the lawsuit.

"He believes it is the mark of the beast because you won't be able to buy or sell without the mark, can't get a job or credit without it," he said.

"When he first applied for the number, the federal government promised that the number will never be used for identification purposes," he said. "Now they have changed the terms of that contract. So if they have the right to do that, so does Daniel ... They can't have a unilateral contract."

Clark County District Judge Mark Gibbons said in an order issued Wednesday the TRO was granted because of the possibility Hansen's business may suffer immediate and irreparable harm. The order said Hansen's motion for an injunction will be heard on June 19 and the TRO will expire that day unless the board agrees to an extension.

Hansen, who claims the statute doesn't apply to him, alleged the statute was put into place "after a federal mandate, which is now subject to being revoked, in order to stop 'deadbeat dads' from escaping their responsibilities in providing child support and other related matters."

The suit quotes part of the statute as saying the state has the authority to withhold, suspend or restrict the use of professional, occupational and recreational licenses of people who fail to comply with a subpoena or warrant to determine the paternity of a child or pay child support.

Hansen said he is not required to pay child support so that statute does not apply to him.

Hal Taylor, in-house counsel for the Contractors' Board, explained the agency's position.

"The Legislature has statutorily required the Social Security number as one of the identifiers for the application. We don't give out licenses unless all the information is given to us."

Robert Griffy, the board's attorney, said the board will file its opposition to the lawsuit by June 14.