Changes in tax panel’s power among bills signed

Thursday, May 19, 2005 | 9:33 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Three bills giving the state Taxation Commission additional power over delinquent taxpayers were signed into law by Gov. Kenny Guinn Wednesday.

The governor approved 23 measures including Assembly Bill 527 to rename the University and Community College System of Nevada to the Nevada System of Higher Education and Assembly Bill 507 that changes the name of fireman in the law to fire fighter.

So far this Legislature the governor has signed 124 bills. Up until Tuesday there were 1,077 bills introduced -- 514 in the Senate and 563 in the Assembly.

Guinn inked Assembly Bill 67 that gives the taxation department the authority to revoke or suspend a business license for any violations of the regulations. Assembly Bill 68 allows the department to deny or refuse to issue a new license if the taxpayer is delinquent in making payments.

Assembly Bill 503 allows the taxation department time to determine if a taxpayer, who files for a refund, actually owes the state any money.

Another Assembly Bill, 381 deals with motorists who make left hand turns onto a center lane on the highway. The bill says a "vehicle must not travel more than 50 feet in a center turn lane after making a left-hand turn onto the highway before merging with traffic."

County clerks, under Assembly Bill 89, will now be able to designate additional places for the registration of voters, rather than just the county courthouse.

The Nevada Supreme Court is required under Assembly Bill 468 to adopt rules to limit the length of trial in justice courts. These rules must include that a jury should not be less than four persons but not more than six.

These rules would not extend to landlord-tenant disputes or issuance of temporary restraining orders in domestic violence cases.