Legislative briefs for May 23, 2001

Wednesday, May 23, 2001 | 10:31 a.m.

Guinn has signed 140 bills

Gov. Kenny Guinn Tuesday signed 43 bills including two to liberalize Nevada's concealed weapon laws.

So far, the governor has approved 140 bills passed by the Legislature, leavinge several hundred more being processed as the Legislature heads for adjournment on June 4.

Many of the bills signed Tuesday made technical or minor changes in the law.

Senate Bill 172, introduced by Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, removes the restriction on how many concealed weapons a person may carry. The old law allowed a sheriff to issue a concealed weapon permit for up to two guns. The new legislation scraps that limit.

Senate Bill 20, sponsored by Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, allows out-of-state residents to apply to sheriffs for a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Also signed into law was a bill by Assemblyman Tom Collins, D-North Las Vegas, changing the method of filling a new seat on the Las Vegas City Council. Assembly Bill 59 says that when the Las Vegas City Council creates a new seat, it must be filled at the next municipal election.

Measure restricts passengers

The Senate on Tuesday approved a bill putting restrictions on passengers a teenager with a new driver's license can have.

According to Assembly Bill 273, someone younger than 18 will be able to transport members of the immediate family but is restricted for three months from transporting anyone else younger than 18.

Committee OKs food measure

The "Soup Lady" is a step closer to stirring the pot again, following an Assembly panel's vote Monday to let good Samaritans do community service without bureaucratic hassles.

"This allows people to go ahead with compassionate service without fear," Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell, D-Carson City, said after the Assembly Health and Human Services Committee approved an amendment to a food-regulations measure, Senate Bill 352.

The amendment would exempt individuals from licensing if they are involved in doing charitable and compassionate service for others.

The revision to SB352 stems from a controversy involving Robin Lecuyer, known as Carson City's "Soup Lady."

Lecuyer, with the help of Carson Advocates for Cancer Care, delivered soups to patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy in Carson City -- until she was told to stop by the city's Health Department.