Legislative briefs for April 1, 2003

Tuesday, April 1, 2003 | 9:37 a.m.

Meetings outside capital considered

The Legislature would be able to meet outside Carson City under a resolution introduced Monday in the Senate.

Senate Joint Resolution 9 seeks to amend the state Constitution to allow the majority of the Legislature to decide if any portion of a regular or special session should be held outside the capital.

The resolution, sponsored by Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, would have to pass this session and again in 2005, then be ratified by the voters in 2006.

Domestic violence victims' aid sought

The Senate approved a bill to allow victims of domestic violence to have an attendant give them "moral and emotional support" at civil trials.

Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, said attendants are permitted at criminal trials to support victims. The bill would extend it to civil trials.

Senate Bill 224, passed unanimously Monday, goes to the Assembly.

Satellite television targeted for tax

A bill that would impose a 5 percent tax on the gross revenue earned by satellite television systems in Nevada was introduced Monday in the Senate.

A spokesman for the satellite television industry called it an example of "wrong-headed thinking."

Sen. Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, estimated the 5 percent tax called for in Senate Bill 492 would yield $3 million to $6 million a year.

An estimated 155,000 residents of Nevada have satellite television.

James Endres, representing satellite television company Echostar, spoke against the proposal.

He said the satellite television industry does not have a favorable tax situation, and that such a tax would give cable companies an unfair advantage.

SB492 was referred to the Senate Taxation for study.