Legislative briefs for March 10, 2005

Thursday, March 10, 2005 | 11:08 a.m.

Bill drafters need more time

The Legislature will be taking time off the next two Fridays. March 21 is the deadline for state legislators to introduce their individual bills. But the lawyers that draft the bills are behind schedule for a variety of reasons.

Lorne Malkiewich, director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau, said Wednesday the staff has asked lawmakers to not meet this Friday and March 18 to allow the lawyers time to draft the bills.

There are budget subcommittee meetings this Friday but there will not be any full sessions of the Assembly and Senate. And there will be no meetings on March 18.

The lag in bill preparation stems from the special session involving the impeachment of Controller Kathy Augustine and the myriad of requests for legal opinion on various property tax value legislation.

Higher homestead exemption sought

The homestead exemption would be increased from $200,000 to $500,000 under a bill introduced by the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday.

The present law protects a homeowner from the forced sale of up to $200,000 in equity in a home. Senate Bill 173, which was referred to the Judiciary Committee, also raises the protection from forced sale for necessary household goods and yard equipment from $10,000 to $12,000.

SB173 would also exempt from writs of execution or forced sale stocks and bonds worth up to $4,000.

Sales tax hike is introduced

Sen. Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, Wednesday introduced a bill to allow all counties except Clark and Washoe to impose a one-quarter of one percent sales tax.

Senate Bill 170 would provide for money to be spent on such items as libraries, parks, recreational programs and senior citizens facilities. It would permit the revenue from the additional tax to be used to pay off bonds issued for these purposes.