Raft of new state laws go into effect today

By Cy Ryan

Thursday, July 1, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

CARSON CITY — Starting today, motorists with fuel-efficient cars in Clark County will be able to drive in special lanes during peak hours and “cyber bullying” will be prohibited in public schools.

Also, skin specialists who work to keep the wrinkles out of your face will be required to receive training before they can be licensed in Nevada.

Some 15 new laws in Nevada become effective today.

In addition to the laws, the minimum wage in Nevada will increase 70 cents to $8.25 an hour if the employer does not provide health insurance, or to $7.25 if health coverage is included.

For several years now, a special lane has been set aside on U.S. 95 in Clark County in both directions during peak travel hours for vehicles that have two or more occupants.

Susan Martinovich, director of the state Department of Transportation, said it helped promote car pooling.

The new law will permit “energy efficient vehicles” to also use these lanes the state Transportation Department adopts regulations. Martinovich said regulations may have to be adopted to identify “energy efficient” vehicles.

Scott McGruder, public information officer for the department, said these vehicles won’t be allowed in these special free flowing lanes until regulations are adopted. These lanes are on U.S. 95 from I-15 to near Summerlin Parkway during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Assembly Bill 163 was signed by Gov. Jim Gibbons on May 6 2009, and became effective "upon passage and approval." It says the transportation department may adopt regulations allowing low emission and energy-efficient vehicles to use these special lanes.

The department now says it must first adopt the regulations. Other sections of the bill became effective July 1 this year.

It’s been 14 months since the law became effective and allowed the department to adopt regulations. McGruder said he will find out why it has taken this long to begin writing the regulations.

The 2009 Legislature also passed a law prohibiting “cyber-bulling through electronic communications” in public schools.

Another law that takes effect today requires more training for students who enter nail technology or aesthetic schools.

Vincent Jimno, executive director of the state Board of Cosmetology, said the additional training is needed for infection control. The training will be increased from 500 to 600 hours for new nail technologists, formerly called manicurists.

The training for aestheticians will increase from 600 to 900 hours. These are skin specialists who do such things as smoothing the facial skin.

The Legislature also authorized additional District Court judges for Clark and Washoe counties.

Fees to pay for the extra judges were imposed last year. In Clark County, the number of District Court judges will rise from 43 to 52, including two additonal Family Court judges.

The new judges will be elected in November.

Regarding the minimum wage, voters in 2006 approved a plan raising it every July 1 to keep it $1 higher than the federal minimum.

State Labor Commissioner Michael Tanchek said it’s hard to estimate the real number of those who are earning minimum wage.

For instance, he said, casino employees, such as dealers, waitresses and bartenders, are paid the minimum wage but make most of their income on tips. He said some may be earning $80,000 to $90,000 a year.

Some auto dealers, he said, pay their sales representatives the minimum wage, but they also make a commission on the cars they sell.

CORRECTION: This story was changed to correct that the state Transportation Department must first adopt regulations before fuel efficient cars can use special travel lanes. The story originally reported that motorists with such vehicles would be able to drive in these lanes effective Thursday. | (July 1, 2010)