MINUTES OF THE

      SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND LABOR

 

      Sixty-seventh Session

      May 20, 1993

 

 

 

The Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor was called to order by Chairman Randolph J. Townsend, at 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, May 20, 1993, in Room 227 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada.  Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda.  Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Senator Randolph J. Townsend, Chairman

Senator Sue Lowden, Vice Chairman

Senator Ann O'Connell

Senator Mike McGinness

Senator Raymond C. Shaffer

Senator Leonard V. Nevin

Senator Lori L. Brown

 

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Beverly Willis, Committee Secretary

Brian Davie, Senior Research Analyst

 

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

Stephen J. Carroll, Senior Economist, The Institute For Civil       Justice, (ICJ), The Rand Corporation

Lois E. Lazor, Consumer

 

Senator Townsend opened the meeting by enumerating bills left to be dealt with in the committee.  Senator Townsend stated every effort would be made to deal with any remaining bills.

 

Senator Townsend then stated:

 

      There was a lawsuit filed as a result of someone testifying on telemarketing, by someone that has been exempted in our bill.  That's known as a slap suit.  I don't know how the rest of the committee feels.  I think that's kind of inappropriate, so I think we ought to look at that.  I would ask you to read this and I've had an amendment to the big amendment, it's a simple removal of that exemption as a result of this and other things.

 

Senator Nevin stated:

 

      I spoke to another senator on the floor and he got greatly concerned because of this slap suit.  I told him I'd have no objection if we removed that amendment on the bill and take it out.

 

Senator Nevin went on to state he would handle this situation, to which Senator Townsend concurred.

 

At this time, Stephen J. Carroll, Senior Economist, The Institute For Civil Justice, (ICJ), The Rand Corporation, gave a presentation.  Mr. Carroll introduced the presentation by stating The Institute For Civil Justice is part of the Rand Corporation and as such it is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization.  The organization is dedicated to doing research on public policy issues in the area of civil justice.  Their purpose is to provide objective data and information to those concerned with civil justice issues.  They do not make policy recommendations.  The institute does not support, nor oppose policy recommendations made by others.  Mr. Carroll went on to state his role today was to tell the committee the results of research on what the effects of no-fault auto insurance will be.  Mr. Carroll went on to explain the financial basis for ICJ. 

 

Mr. Carroll presented Exhibit C, written information on no-fault insurance.  (Original of Exhibit C is on file in the Research Library.)  At this time, Mr. Carroll proceeded with his overhead presentation.  He stated the study focused exclusively on compensation for personal injuries.  Property damage was not examined in this study.  Mr. Carroll gave  a detailed presentation.

 

Mr. Carroll summarized, stating that ICJ thought no-fault insurance can substantially reduce the cost of auto insurance.  He put emphasis on the word "can."  He went on to note that no-fault insurance holds no guarantee of automatic cost reduction and some combinations of plans would actually increase costs.

 

A discussion ensued between Senator Brown, Senator Townsend and Mr. Carroll on some finer points of his presentation.

 

Next to testify was Lois E. Lazor, Consumer, who presented Exhibit D and Exhibit E, statements and information of her views on no- fault insurance.

 

Senator Townsend then asked for a motion for committee introduction on  Bill Draft Request (BDR) 54-2072.

 

BDR 54-2072:      Clarifies circumstances when compensation by physical therapist for referral of patient is ground for disciplinary action.

 

      SENATOR NEVIN MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR 54-2072.

 

      SENATOR SHAFFER SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

      THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at

10:45 a.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                  RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

                                          

                  Beverly Willis,

                  Committee Secretary

 

 

 

APPROVED BY:

 

 

 

 

                                     

Senator Randolph J. Townsend, Chairman

 

 

DATE:                                

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Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor

May 20, 1993

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