Legislative briefs for Feb. 26, 2003

Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003 | 9:44 a.m.

Bill aims to close gun sales loophole

CARSON CITY -- A bill sought by the Metro Police Department to close a loophole in the gun sales law has been introduced in the Senate.

Senate Bill 199 would make it a felony for anybody who knowingly sells a gun to a person who has been indicted or convicted of a felony, is a drug user, an undocumented immigrant or who has been judged mentally ill.

Metro Lt. Stan Olsen said the bill would stop those prohibited from owning guns from getting other people to purchase weapons for them. Some felons have paid people who can pass the background check $500 to buy a $400 gun.

The law is not meant not to restrict the legitimate sale of firearms, he said.

Sen. Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, introduced the bill Tuesday and it was referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Measure could lead to appeals court

CARSON CITY -- The Legislature would be empowered to create an intermediate court of appeals under a resolution introduced by the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday.

Senate Joint Resolution 5, that seeks to amend the Nevada Constitution, would allow the Legislature to establish the court and decide what it would have jurisdiction over. The court would handle appeals from district courts, which now all go to the Nevada Supreme Court.

Voters twice in the past have rejected the proposed change in the Constitution. The Supreme Court supports the legislation.

The resolution would have to pass two sessions of the Legislature and then be ratified by the voters. It was referred to the Judiciary Committee for study.

Bill would limit insurance firms

Assemblyman David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas, introduced a bill Tuesday that would prohibit insurance companies from using credit reports to determine a person's insurance rates.

Assembly Bill 194 also requires insurance companies to limit the use of zip codes in determining rates.

The bill has been identified by Assembly Democrats as a priority for passage within the first 45 days of the session.

A hearing will be conducted on the bill in the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee in the coming weeks.