Legislative briefs for March 3, 2005

Thursday, March 3, 2005 | 9:23 a.m.

Three initiatives went to committee

The three initiatives that gained enough signatures last fall to go before the Legislature were sent to the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, vowed to fight one measure that would legalize up to one ounce of marijuana.

Another initiative, called the Responsibly Protect Nevadans from Second-Hand Smoke Act, would prohibit smoking in most public places except for areas with nonrestricted gaming licenses, bars, taverns, saloons, strip clubs, tobacco stores or restaurants where people younger than 21 are not permitted.

The other, called the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act, would prohibit smoking in public areas where minors are allowed. Opponents argue that would ban smoking from hotel rooms.

Bill targets fines in condominiums

Managers of condominium projects would be prohibited from profiting personally from any fine imposed on a homeowner, under a bill introduced Wednesday in the Senate.

Sen. Warren Hardy, R-Las Vegas, said he wants to eliminate profit incentive for officers in associations that oversee the condominiums.

Senate Bill 153, which was referred to the Judiciary Committee, would prohibit a community manager who imposes a fine for violating the governing documents from soliciting or accepting any percentage of the fine.

Senate approves jury changes

The Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that allows for six alternative jurors instead of four in a criminal trial.

Sen. Valerie Wiener, D-Las Vegas, said Senate Bill 27 also would allow judges to seat all of the jurors initially without designating those who would be alternatives until jury deliberation begins.

Wiener said jurors would listen more intently to the testimony since they would not know if they were alternates. And attorneys would address all of the jurors, she said.

Current law allows the seating of six alternate jurors in civil trials.

The judge would have the discretion to name the alternates at the beginning of the trial or at the start of jury deliberations. This system would be optional and not mandatory.

SB27 goes to the Assembly.

Driver's license surcharge bill OK'd

Those who renew their driver's licenses by mail would not be charged an extra $1.50, under a bill passed unanimously by the Senate Wednesday.

The state Department of Motor Vehicles sought the bill because this is the only surcharge the agency imposes for renewals.

The department would lose $100,000 a year in revenue but would make it up from the state highway fund.

Senate Bill 87 goes to the Assembly.