Legislative briefs for March 14, 2003

Friday, March 14, 2003 | 9:50 a.m.

Senate passes ban on cell phone laws

Local governments will be prohibited from enacting ordinances that limit or prohibit using a cell phone while driving, under a bill approved by the Senate 20-0 Thursday.

Senate Bill 10 is a result of the Clark County Commission trying to pass an ordinance banning drivers from using cell phones, said Sen. Randolph Townsend, R-Reno.

He said local governments approving this type of ordinance could create problems for law enforcement as a driver moves from the county to the city or to another jurisdiction. Talking on a cell phone falls into the same category as disciplining a child, combing your hair, shaving or eating in the car, he said.

A motorist can be cited for inattentive driving.

The bill goes to the Assembly. If passed and signed by the governor, it would mean only the state would be able to enact any limits on cell phone use in a vehicle.

Appeals court passes Senate

A proposed constitutional amendment has taken its first step forward toward creating an intermediate court of appeals in Nevada.

The Senate Thursday passed Senate Joint Resolution 5 to permit the Legislature to create an appeals court, which would be positioned between District Courts and the state Supreme Court.

Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, said the proposed amendment is different from ones in the past that failed. Those mandated an appeals court be created, but this one gives the authority to the Legislature.

The resolution goes to the Assembly. If it passes this session, it must be approved in the 2005 Legislature and then ratified by the voters.

Rise in cabbie fees proposed

Cabdrivers in Clark County would pay more for their permits under a bill introduced in the Senate Thursday.

Senate Bill 288 provides a new driver would pay $40 instead of $20 to the state Taxicab Authority and the renewal fee would rise from $5 to $10. The trip fee paid by the passenger would rise from 15 to 20 cents, which is added to the meter charge.

The additional money would be used to support the Taxicab Authority, allowing it to restore 11 positions and hire three additional workers.

The bill was introduced by the Senate Finance Committee. Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said the fee increases are recommended by Gov. Kenny Guinn as part of his budget.

Extra fee asked on some casinos

Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas, wants to allow casinos that are not located in a gaming enterprise district in Clark County to move their business to another area, also outside the district.

Senate Bill 271, introduced Thursday, would also impose an extra charge on casinos that take advantage of the change in law. The clubs would have to pay an additional 1.7 percent of all gross revenue over $134,000 it collected every month.

Currently the Nevada Gaming Commission cannot approve a license for a casino outside a gaming enterprise district in Clark County. This would permit such a move provided the casinos received all the necessary approval from local governments.

Schneider would send the extra revenue collected to the school district for distribution to at-risk schools. The bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for study.