Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Lawmakers keep busy with bills from taxes to marijuana

CARSON CITY -- Another wave of bills flooded the Legislature on Monday -- the deadline for new measures.

Committees introduced a host of new tax and elections proposals and a bill that would allow medical marijuana patients to grow their own plants.

One plan that never emerged Monday, was a tax proposal from Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville. Hettrick's plan, which involves tax hikes and cuts in state services and programs, was exempted from Monday's deadline.

He now plans to introduce the bill later this week.

Several tax plans did emerge Monday, including Assembly Bill 517, a measure to impose a tax on financial institutions, either as an alternative to the gross receipts tax, or as a means to spur support for the gross receipts tax.

AB517 was introduced by the Assembly Taxation Committee, reportedly at the request of the governor. Gov. Kenny Guinn has been meeting with bankers and members of the financial institution community about his proposed one quarter of 1 percent tax on business gross receipts over $450,000.

The bankers have balked at the proposal.

Their option might be a AB517's 14 percent excise tax to do business in Nevada.

Other tax measures introduced Monday include Assembly Bill 490, a measure related to mortgage brokers that imposes fees for licensing.

Assembly Bill 516 would provide for annual adjustment in motor vehicle fuel taxes based on the changes in the Consumer Price Index.

Several elections measures were introduced, including Assembly Bill 527, which helps establish the federal Help America Vote Act.

AB527 requires the secretary of state to establish a statewide voter registration list and other provisions.

Assembly Bill 526, which was introduced in response to the election challenge of Assemblyman Marcus Conklin, D-Las Vegas, would allow a person to challenge an election and investigate such a claim up until the start of the Legislature.

The measure also requires the person filing the contest to be responsible for all costs incurred in connection with the challenge unless the Assembly or Senate determines it would be unjust.

Assembly Bill 541 includes a number of election provisions, including ballot identification of incumbents, ordering of the names on the ballot, shortening the early voting period, requiring candidates to list all donations under $100 and establishing new periods of fund-raising limits leading up to and after special sessions of the Legislature.

Assembly Joint Resolution 11 proposes to take some elections out of the hands of voters. AJR11 would require gubernatorial appointment of the Board of Regents, and to specify the number and terms of members.

Assembly Bill 503, which was referred to Health and Human Services, redefines certain aspects of the state's medical marijuana statute.

AB503 allows up to two people in a home with state medical marijuana registry cards to produce up to 2 ounces of usable marijuana, six mature plants and eight immature plants.

The bill would charge up to a $50 for a registry card and up to $150 to process the card. The bill needs two-thirds majority for passage.

Other bills introduced Monday include a measure to change practices related to dental hygienists, a bill to require licensure of mobile vehicle wash vendors and a resolution to mint of silver coins.

Assembly Bill 489, from the Commerce and Labor Committee, changes the term dental hygienist to dental hygiene professional and creates the advisory committee on dental hygiene.

Assembly Bill 484, from the Government Affairs Committee, would require the governmental entities in Clark and Washoe counties to adopt ordinances regarding licensure of mobile wash vendors and discharge of wastewater into sanitary sewers.

Mobile vehicle wash vendor is defined as a person who washes vehicles from his or her vehicle or at another nonstationary facility. It excludes car washing for schools, religious, community organization or charitable purposes.

One of the strangest bills introduced is Assembly Bill 532. It alleges that since Congress has not issued all of the money pursuant to Article 1 of the Constitution, the state of Nevada is absolved from its constitutional prohibition against issuing money.

It uses that claim as a premise to issue and circulation of $50 million in silver $20 coins bearing the seal of the state, despite the fact that the Constitution specifically says that only the federal government can coin money to be used in the United States.

The bill was introduced by the Constitutional Amendments Committee. Assemblyman Harry Mortenson, D-Las Vegas, is chairman of that committee.

Several bills authorizing studies were also introduced Monday.

Assembly Bill 518 temporarily prohibits an increase in the number of limousines in operation and directs a legislative study of issues relating to allocation of limos.

Assembly Bill 454 directs the Legislative Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Public Employees' Benefits Program to examine the financial stability of the program and a comparison of programs in other states. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 10 directs an interim study of the operations of the program. Assembly Bill 464 establishes the commission to review the compensation of legislators.

Lastly, Assembly Joint Resolution 14 allows the Legislature to petition for a special session.

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