Gibbons signs marriage license bill despite tax opposition

By Cy Ryan

Monday, May 18, 2009 | 11:42 a.m.

CARSON CITY – Despite his opposition to new taxes, Gov. Jim Gibbons has signed a bill to boost the cost of a marriage license by $5 with the money going to domestic violence programs.

Gibbons said the problems of domestic violence are so serious, sometimes life and death, that the increase is appropriate. These domestic violence programs help battered women get help, counseling and other aid.

Senate Bill 14, sponsored by Sen. Bernice Mathews, D-Reno, increases from $20 to $25 the cost of a marriage license with the proceeds going to Aid Victims of Domestic Violence.

The bill also provides that the certified copy of a marriage certificate be raised by $5 – if the county commission approves. That money would also go to domestic violence programs.

The law takes effect immediately.

The governor also signed Senate Bill 240, which tells the state Transportation Department to set a new speed limit on State Route 159 in an around the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Southern Nevada.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Shirley Breeden, D-Las Vegas, said the department must consider such things as the bicycles and pedestrians in the area, protection of the natural environment; history of accidents and crashes in the area and the recreational activities being conducted.

Breeden said residents of the area want the present 60 mph limit reduced to 50 mph. And she said residents want warning signs for motorists indicating some of the curves in the area are "real dangerous."

The department must also consider the ability of law enforcement agencies to monitor the new speed limit and it must post adequate signs alerting motorists of the new speed limit.

A department spokesman said a study would be conducted to determine how fast motorists are going now and then to set the limit. He said electronic signs would be posted in the area informing a motorist how fast the driver was going.