Guinn approves last of 516 bills

Friday, June 13, 2003 | 11:21 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn on Thursday signed the last of 516 bills passed by the regular session of the Legislature, including ones to expand the Senior Rx program.

Altogether, Guinn approved 245 Senate and 271 Assembly bills of the nearly 1,100 measures that were introduced.

The governor signed Senate Bill 459 on Thursday to expand the eligibility requirements for Senior Rx, the free drug prescription program for low-income senior citizens. Now married couples with a household income of up to $28,660 qualify, up from $21,500.

Among other bills signed by Guinn:

The governor let one bill become law without his signature. Guinn refused to sign Assembly Bill 490, which creates the state commissioner of mortgage lending, giving that individual authority over the industry.

Greg Bortolin, press secretary for Guinn, said the governor agreed with the purpose of the bill but objected to the way the bill was processed.

Michael Hillerby, assistant chief of staff for Guinn, said an amendment to the bill was defeated 6-0 in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. But on the final night of the session, it was offered on the floor by Sen. Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, who is chairman of the committee. The amendment passed.

Hillberby said the governor feels there is no reason to regulate mortgage bankers because they are controlled by the federal government.