Bills signed Monday by Gov. Kenny Guinn

Tuesday, May 29, 2001 | 10:20 a.m.

Senate Bill 558

Strengthens the protection of patents and trade secrets. It states that an employer is the sole owner of any patentable invention or trade secret developed by his workers during their course of their employment.

Senate Bill 541

Changes the name of the state Department of Museums, Library and Arts to the state Department of Cultural Affairs.

Senate Bill 378

Gives civil immunity to a person who furnishes information to the state Board of Dental Examiners about a dentist or an individual seeking a license. The immunity would be extended to board members.

Assembly Bill 243

Exempts the sale of farm equipment from the sales and use tax. The exemption applies to the sales tax collected by local governments and the schools. The voters would be asked during the next general election to exempt the equipment from the 2 percent state sales tax.

Assembly Bill 277

Requires that any settlement of a claim brought against a present or former employee of the state or any political subdivision to be public and to disclose the amount of the attorney's fees.

Assembly Bill 279

Provides that an employee is eligible for industrial insurance benefits if he contracts a contagious disease such as hepatitis, tuberculosis or AIDS while on the job. The employee must report the exposure to his superior and undergo testing.

Assembly Bill 363

Allows patients pursuing a claim for health care benefits to receive a free copy of their medical records from a hospital, doctor or other health care providers. If a second copy is requested, a charge of 60 cents could be levied on each page for photocopies.

Assembly Bill 415

Stops the state Board of Pharmacy from issuing private reprimands to those its regulates. Any disciplinary action would be open to the public. The bill also requires the board to adopt regulations governing the transmission of prescriptions from a doctor to a pharmacy by computer or fax. At present, the law states that the board has the discretion to adopt the regulation, but it is not required.

Assembly Bill 458

Permits local governments to impose impact fees on developers to finance police and fire stations and parks. If the developer donates the land for a park, he or she is entitled to a credit on the impact fees.

Assembly Bill 537

Allows town boards or county commissioners to construct and maintain municipal bus benches and shelters. It grants cities the right to grant a franchise for these services.