MINUTES OF THE
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Sixty-seventh Session
January 21, 1993
The Senate Committee on Transportation was called to order by Chairman William R. O'Donnell, at 1:30 p.m., on Thursday, January 21, 1993, in Room 226 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Senator William R. O'Donnell, Chairman
Senator Lawrence E. Jacobsen, Vice Chairman
Senator Mark A. James
Senator Leonard V. Nevin
Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr.
Senator Thomas J. Hickey
Senator Lori L. Brown
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Paul Mouritsen, Research Analyst
Terri Jo Wittenberg, Committee Secretary
Chairman O'Donnell introduced the standing committee rules (Exhibit C) and pointed out that they were the same rules that were adopted during the Sixty-sixth Session.
SENATOR HICKEY MOVED THE STANDING RULES BE ADOPTED.
SENATOR JACOBSEN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR NEAL WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
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Chairman O'Donnell welcomed all the committee members. He pointed out there were five veteran members and two new members comprising the Senate Committee on Transportation.
Chairman O'Donnell explained the purpose of the committee was to ensure the safety of the motoring public while maintaining expeditious and impediment free travel. He also said that the chair would have the prerogative to discern the appropriateness of any bills pertaining to the objective of the committee.
Chairman O'Donnell referred to Senator Nevin, who was the chairman of the transportation committee during the Sixty-sixth Session, stating that he and Senator Nevin had very similar backgrounds since they were both former police officers and were both businessmen and both had sat on the transportation committee for a long time.
In conclusion, Chairman O'Donnell discussed the committee policy in regard to witnesses appearing before the committee. He stated that all witnesses would be treated with dignity, and he expected they would be afforded the same courtesy the committee members are afforded.
Chairman O'Donnell introduced Paul Mouritsen who is the research analyst for the Senate Committee on Transportation.
Chairman O'Donnell then drew attention to several bills requiring committee introduction. He passed out copies of bill draft requests (BDR's) for review and proceeded to read each bill draft request by number and summary:
BDR S-1278:Makes appropriation to legislative fund for computer equipment and software for Legislative Counsel Bureau.
SENATOR NEVIN MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR S-1278.
SENATOR HICKEY SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR NEAL WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
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BDR 43-294:Limits weight of certain vehicles used for public mass transportation.
SENATOR HICKEY MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR 43-294.
SENATOR NEVIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR NEAL WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
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BDR 43-649:Eliminate requirement that school bus operators obtain commercial drivers license.
SENATOR HICKEY MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR 43-649.
SENATOR NEVIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR NEAL WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
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BDR 38-1284: Revises definition of "County of Residence" for purpose of determining eligibility of indigent person for benefits from county.
SENATOR HICKEY MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR 38-1284.
SENATOR JAMES SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR NEAL WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
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BDR 43-191:Amends definition of "declared gross weight" of motor vehicles.
SENATOR NEVIN MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR 43-191.
SENATOR JAMES SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR NEAL WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
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BDR 58-192:Repeals exemption from certain provisions governing motor carriers for persons temporarily engaged in transporting agricultural products.
SENATOR NEVIN MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR 58-192.
SENATOR HICKEY SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR NEAL WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
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BDR 58-222:Revises manner in which taxicabs are allocated in larger counties.
SENATOR NEVIN MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR 58-222.
SENATOR HICKEY SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
BDR 43-1032: Provides for special endorsement on driver's license that designates use of license as critical to person's employment.
SENATOR NEVIN MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR 43-1032.
SENATOR HICKEY SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
* * * * *
Paul Mouritsen gave an issue brief to the committee (Exhibit D).
Senator Hickey suggested there be a presentation made to the committee regarding the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA).
Chairman O'Donnell concurred and asked to have Garth Dull, Director of the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), address the committee in the near future regarding the ISTEA legislation.
Chairman O'Donnell introduced Senator Jacobsen as his vice chairman.
Senator Jacobsen suggested the committee take a tour of the NDOT and the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (NDMV) in the near future.
Chairman O'Donnell explained a bill he planned to introduce concerning the use of sirens used by emergency vehicles. He summarized by saying that as a car travels down the freeway it is impossible to hear a siren, and the only people who do hear the siren are those who live along the freeway. He further explained that in California emergency vehicles do not use sirens on the freeway and he wanted to introduce such a bill which would allow emergency vehicles to discontinue the use of sirens on certain roadways.
There being no further business before the committee, Chairman O'Donnell adjourned the meeting at 2:10 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Terri Jo Wittenberg
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Senator William R. O'Donnell, Chairman
DATE:
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
January 21, 1993
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