MINUTES OF THE
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Sixty-seventh Session
February 24, 1993
The Assembly Committee on Transportation was called to order by Chairman Larry L. Spitler, at 1:15 p.m., on Wednesday, February 24, 1993, in Room 331 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mr. Larry L. Spitler, Chairman
Mr. Val Z. Garner, Vice Chairman
Mr. Bernie Anderson
Mrs. Vonne Chowning
Mr. Tom Collins, Jr
Mr. Louis A. Toomin
Mr. William D. Gregory
Mr. Lynn Hettrick
Mr. James W. McGaughey
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:
Assemblyman Joan A. Lambert, Assembly District 29
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Kerry Carroll-Davis, Senior Research Analyst
Legislative Counsel Bureau
OTHERS PRESENT:
Donna Varin, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety
Raymond L. Sparks, Chief, Registration Division, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety
Darcy Coss, Deputy Attorney General, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety
Mark Poirier, Firematic Collectors of Northern Nevada
John W. Riggs, Sr., Firematic Collectors of Northern Nevada
Chairman Spitler reminded committee members of the tour sponsored by the Department of Transportation and the open house sponsored by the Public Service Commission. He praised the Department of Transportation's building maintenance and found the tour most informative.
ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 155: Authorizes issuance of special license plates for fire trucks.
Assemblyman Joan Lambert, Assembly District 29, introduced constituent Mark Poirier, whom she sponsored A.B 155 on behalf of. Mrs. Lambert explained A.B. 155 dealt with vehicles not addressed when the old-timer's license plate law was amended during the Sixty-sixth Session. She explained because fire trucks were considered trucks, they were required to pay the gross weight registration fee which sometimes was up to $250 dollars. Most of the older fire trucks were used only for events such as parades or school exhibitions. She explained the bill limited the use for the fire trucks to parades, events, exhibitions, etc., and limited the plates to fire trucks only. She explained the intent of the bill dealt with the large expense of registering fire trucks. Mrs. Lambert briefly outlined the bill. (Exhibit C) and explained the proposed amendment distributed to committee members (Exhibit D).
Mr. Poirier stated this bill addressed problems fire truck collectors faced. He estimated to operate his 1947 fire engine would cost him $2,000 a month. He stated fire truck owners have high maintenance cost involved and could not afford to run their trucks frequently and would not abuse the plate issuance. Mr. Poirier called attention to pictures of fire trucks which Mr. John Riggs had presented. As an example of the problems faced, Mr. Pourier explained it would cost Mr. Riggs over $1,000 a year just to register his truck which Mr. Riggs drove approximately ten times a year. Because of high expenses involved in restoring the fire trucks, Mr. Pourier urged the State to assist them in keeping the costs down so they could continue showing the trucks to the public.
In answering a question from Mr. Spitler, Mr. Pourier stated the cost of registering the truck he owns is $200 a month.
Mr. John W. Riggs, Firematic Collectors of Northern Nevada, testified in support of the bill. He stated he owned three fire trucks and described them to the committee. He stressed the importance the fire trucks played as an educational tool. He stated his organization was willing to assist and work with any agencies to make the bill work.
Mrs. Chowning, referred to the proposed amendment which deleted language concerning dismantling or selling of trucks. Mrs. Lambert explained DMV needed to have an annual fee of five dollars, however, one of the abuses under the old-timers plate law referred to the in language in lines 19 -21 and they felt the language was not clear. Removing the language clarified the intent of the legislation.
Mr. Spitler explained last session Mr. Bernie Anderson chaired a subcommittee that worked on a license plate fee structure. He asked Mr. Anderson if the fees would fall within the fee structure proposed in A.B. 155. Mr. Anderson replied it appeared to be in compliance. Mrs. Lambert stated she took the fee from the bill last session on old-timer plates. Mr. Toomin, referred to the Nevada Revised Statutes and agreed the fees fell into the structure.
Mr. Ray Sparks, Chief of Registration Division, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety, stated there would be three criteria that must be met for issuance of the special license plate. Also for the purposes of administering the bill, there would be a definition of what a fire truck was.
MR. GARNER MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 155.
MR. ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ASSEMBLY BILL 157: Makes various changes relating to driver's licenses and registration of motor vehicles.
Donna Varin, Chief, Driver's License Division, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety, stated the bill addressed two separate issues. The first issue concerned drivers with medical problems whom the DMV would like to assist. The second issue dealt with motor vehicle liability insurance which involved several statutes. She stated although the bill was requested by the driver's license division, it did impact the vehicle registration division. Mrs. Varin read from prepared testimony (Exhibit E), supporting A.B. 151. Mrs. Varin reviewed with the committee each section of A.B. 157 and explained the proposed changes and proposed amendments (Exhibit F).
In answering a question from Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Varin stated the wording requested to be removed from section 3 of A.B. 157 was not consistent with the wording in the NRS chapter relating to section 3. She explained proof of financial responsibility must be proven at the time of reinstatement of a driver's license.
Mr. Anderson, referring to section 3 of the A.B. 157 and asked if licenses could be suspended for more than one year for reasons other than medical. Mrs. Varin replied suspension could be more or less than one year for various circumstances such as the failure to appear laws or the no insurance laws. These laws involved suspensions until the problem was taken care of. Mrs. Varin explained the evolution of the indefinite suspension rule.
Mr. Hettrick, referring back to section 4, felt the word "security" could be used rather than "financial responsibility." Mrs. Varin replied proof of financial responsibility would be different in the future as there were limitations in the bill what met the requirements. She explained security was in reference to the insurance in general whereas the bill specifically described what criteria would meet proof of financial responsibility.
Ray Sparks, Chief, Registration Division, Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety addressed Section 10 and Section 11 of A.B. 157. He stated the proposed language in section 11 of A.B. 157 would allow the department to accept an actual insurance policy in lieu of current evidence of insurance card at the time the vehicle was registered. Mr. Sparks was concerned that his staff handling registration claims would be required to stop and read an insurance policy to determine 1) if insurer was eligible to write auto liability insurance in Nevada, and 2) if the minimal limits of liability were proper in the policy. Mr. Sparks was concerned with the time this would add to processing transactions.
Mrs. Varin explained section 10 was in reference to self-insurance, a program overseen by the driver's license division, to make sure the statement provided was consistent with requirements of insurance companies for clients.
Mr. Hettrick explained his experiences with problems in obtaining a proof of insurance card, however, he received binders immediately. In answering a question from Mr. Hettrick regarding the acceptance of binders as proof of insurance, Mr. Sparks stated if all requirements were met on the face of the binder, he felt they could administer insurance utilizing the binders as proof.
Darcy Coss, Deputy Attorney General, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety, stated binders were generally written on the spot as the insurance policy was being purchased. She was concerned an individual might cancel the check written for the insurance purchased, however, would still have the binder. Mr. Hettrick felt it was important they work with ideas concerning the binders.
Mr. Garner stated binders did not indicate monetary transactions took place or a commitment was even made to purchase insurance.
Mr. Toomin agreed with Mr. Hettrick's concerns regarding problems in receiving insurance cards for older vehicles. He felt insurance binders were legal documents however, they could be revoked at any given time.
Chairman Spitler asked Mr. Hettrick to pursue the binder issue further with the research staff or DMV for additional language. Chairman Spitler stated action on the bill would probably take place in a week. With no further business, Chairman Spitler adjourned the meeting at 2:15 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Carolyn J. Harry
Committee Secretary
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Assembly Committee on Transportation
February 24, 1993
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