Trade group proposes raising driver’s license, vehicle fees

By David McGrath Schwartz

Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010 | 8:50 p.m.

A construction association has proposed raising $50 million a year through higher charges for driver’s licenses, teenage driver’s licenses and vehicle titles, and increasing vehicle registration fees to create a fund for construction projects.

John Madole, executive director of Nevada Associated General Contractors, told a Legislative committee on Thursday that the money raised could be bonded into $500 million worth of construction projects, employing 14,000 workers directly and indirectly.

He said that the series of fee increases would help an industry that is flailing.

“These are not things that hit you every day,” Madole said. “Every time I renew my driver’s license, I could not tell you what I pay. I don’t think it’s that big a deal.”

Legislators seemed receptive to some of the ideas.

“I would love to see more construction jobs available,” said Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas. “We have people out of work. We need to put them back to work.”

The idea to increase vehicle registration costs, though, was shot down almost immediately.

Sen. Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said, “I never got as much hate mail as the changes to vehicle depreciation schedule” approved last session.

Sen. Bernice Matthews, D-Reno, said, “Amen. Even my neighbor who watches my house says he’s going to burn it down based on those fees.”

Among the ideas Madole presented:

• Increase the cost of a driver’s license from $21 for four years to $146 for four years. This would raise $15 million a year.

• Increase the cost to transfer a vehicle title by $20. This would raise $15 million.

• Charge a premium for teenagers to get driver’s licenses. Madole proposed a “modest price of $150 a year.” He said this would not only raise money but make teenagers appreciate the license more.

“As someone who raised four sons, I can tell you those guys would have crawled through broken glass for a driver’s license.” He said this would raise about $5 million.

Among other revenue ideas presented to the Legislature on Thursday were ideas from speakers to legalize marijuana.

Additionally, Raggio proposed that the state raise $250 million by finding private investors to buy or make up-front payments to the state on its buildings.

The state would then lease the buildings from the private entities. Raggio credited the idea to Brian Sandoval, a Republican candidate for governor whom Raggio is supporting.