MINUTES OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION Sixty-eighth Session June 27, 1995 The Senate Committee on Transportation was called to order by Chairman William R. O'Donnell, at 4:15 p.m., on Tuesday, June 27, 1995, in Room 226 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Senator William R. O'Donnell, Chairman Senator Maurice Washington, Vice Chairman Senator Lawrence E. Jacobsen Senator Jon C. Porter Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr. Senator Raymond C. Shaffer Senator O. C. Lee STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Don O. Williams, Chief Principal Research Analyst Diane Rea, Committee Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: Daryl Capurro, Lobbyist, Nevada Franchised Auto Dealers Association (NFADA) Timothy Ghan, Associate Actuary, Insurance Division, Department of Business and Industry Larry Stout, Assistant Chief, Registration Division, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety (DMV&PS) Patricia Walsh, Scientist, Desert Research Institute (DRI) Raymond Sparks, Deputy Director, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety (DMV&PS) Senator O'Donnell said he has been asked to hold Assembly Bill (A.B.) 558. ASSEMBLY BILL 558: Abolishes advisory board on automotive affairs. (BDR 43-1945) Senator O'Donnell opened the hearing on A.B. 625. ASSEMBLY BILL 625: Revises provisions governing towing of vehicles. (BDR 43-1447) Senator O'Donnell said Amendment No. 1122 (Exhibit C) is proposed to allow an individual to tow a car that is parked on their private property. SENATOR LEE MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 625. SENATOR JACOBSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATORS WASHINGTON AND PORTER WERE ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.) * * * * * Senator O'Donnell said he had been asked to take action on the "E. T. Highway" bill today. He said the committee will not take action on that bill today. A notice will be posted to have a hearing at 7:45 a.m. tomorrow morning and action will be taken at that time. Daryl Capurro, Lobbyist, Nevada Franchised Auto Dealers Association (NFADA), informed the committee that the Assembly passed S.B. 443 today with some minor amendments brought to the committee by the Public Service Commission of Nevada (PSC). SENATE BILL 443: Regulates operation of tow cars. (BDR 58- 1792) Timothy Ghan, Associate Actuary, Insurance Division, Department of Business and Industry, said he understands there are some minor amendments to A.B. 558 and he is present just to see what happens with the bill. Larry Stout, Assistant Chief, Registration Division, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety (DMV&PS), introduced the scientist from the Desert Research Institution (DRI) to the committee. Patricia Walsh, Scientist, Desert Research Institute, showed the committee a promotion video to show what the infrared instrument does. A summary of the major points of the remote sensing devices is provided for the committee (Exhibit D). She explained how the devices work. Senator O'Donnell closed the hearing on A.B. 443 called for a motion on A.C.R. 31. ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 31: Expresses support for programs to mitigate traffic noise. (BDR R-1959 ) Senator O'Donnell said the Assembly did not like the committee's amendments to the bill. SENATOR JACOBSEN MOVED TO NOT RECEDE WITH THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO A.C.R. 31. SENATOR NEAL SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATORS WASHINGTON AND PORTER WERE ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.) * * * * * Senator O'Donnell called for a motion on A.B. 92. He said the Assembly does not like the committee's proposed amendment to the bill. ASSEMBLY BILL 92: Requires revocation of driver's licenses of certain juveniles who drive under influence of intoxicating liquor or controlled substance. (BDR 5-245) SENATOR NEAL MOTIONED TO NOT CONCUR WITH A.B. 92. SENATOR JACOBSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATORS WASHINGTON AND PORTER WERE ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.) * * * * * After the video, Senator O'Donnell asked if there is an accurate reading every time? Ms. Walsh responded that the Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) is less than 1/2 of a percent, or 1 out of 20,000 vehicles. Senator Jacobsen asked if there is a test area in Nevada at this time? Ms. Walsh said they are not used in Nevada at this time. There was a test done in Washoe County to do analysis on the infrared instrument. They were also testing Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) which is new to the instrument. The equipment is being used in New Jersey, Georgia, and either the Province of Quebec or Ontario, Canada. Mr. Stout said that once a determination is made, the owner is sent a registered letter telling them they are required to get a smog test on their vehicle. The notice tells the owner if the vehicle is not tested within a period of time, their registration will be revoked. If the vehicle passes the test, nothing more is done. Raymond Sparks, Deputy Director, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety (DMV&PS), said the program, that was contemplated several months ago in response to the need to comply with the federal EPA's requirements for an enhanced emission and inspection program in Las Vegas, was one that was going to require IM240 test equipment. That was a dynamometer- based system where a vehicle was actually operated on a dynamometer with a more sophisticated analyzer to simulate driving conditions. Additionally, the state will have to install emission testing stations and not allow anyone else to perform that service. Senator O'Donnell adjourned the meeting at 5:03 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: Diane C. Rea, Committee Secretary APPROVED BY: Senator William R. O'Donnell, Chairman DATE: Senate Committee on Transportation June 27, 1995 Page