The Committee on Transportation was called to order at 1:30 p.m., on Tuesday, February 2, 1999. Chairwoman Vonne Chowning presided in Room 3143 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Guest List. All Exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mrs. Vonne Chowning, Chairwoman

Ms. Genie Ohrenschall, Vice Chairwoman

Mr. Douglas Bache

Mr. John Carpenter

Mrs. Barbara Cegavske

Mr. Jerry Claborn

Mr. Tom Collins

Mr. Don Gustavson

Mrs. Kathy McClain

Mr. Dennis Nolan

Mr. David Parks

Ms. Bonnie Parnell

Mr. Kelly Thomas

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

OTHERS PRESENT:

Chairwoman Chowning introduced committee secretaries, Christine Cole and Jennifer Batchelder. She explained the committee would be working on all forms of transportation from planes and trains to automobiles and the roads under them.

Chairwoman Chowning then introduced Committee Policy Analyst, Elana Marton, and requested members of the committee who had questions for Ms. Marton go through the Chair to ask them.

Chairwoman Chowning introduced committee members and gave a brief description of each while she welcomed them. She reviewed the proposed Standing Committee Rules (Exhibit C) and asked for committee action.

Ms. Marton talked about the role of the policy analyst and presented highlights of her committee brief (Exhibit D). Her discussion included the jurisdiction of the committee. She spoke of various reports that would be presented to the 1999 legislature and significant issues that were likely to appear.

In concluding, Ms. Marton mentioned the 120-day session and the many bills to be heard by the Committee on Transportation. She reminded the committee of the importance of key dates for the 1999 session.

Chairwoman Chowning introduced Assemblyman Carpenter as a committee member from past sessions and praised his A.B. 36 of the 69^th session. A.B. 36 eliminated the imposition of a fine to customers who did not return the verification of vehicle insurance form and stated that approximately $60,000 was returned to consumers by DMV & PS via the passage.

Assemblyman Collins asked about the status of the special license plate bills brought before the committee in the 1997 Legislative Session and if any license plates had met the required limit and been produced. He also inquired about aeronautic zoning and if it was restricted to airports and flying. Chairwoman Chowning remarked that Lake Tahoe plate was produced and orders for other special plates had been completed but funding was not yet available for production of some of the other special plates that were passed last session. Special appropriations were needed to resolve the problem and would be addressed during session.

In response to Mr. Collins question about aeronautics zoning, Ms. Marton stated she would need to further research Title 44 Aeronautics, Chapter 497 Zoning.

Chairwoman Chowning introduced Mr. Bob Ostrovsky who represented 3M Corporation. Mr. Ostrovsky made a brief comment on the manufacturing of special license plates and stated production of the sheeting for the plates was more costly than general plates. Funding had been a big part of the process and 3M was working closely with DMV & PS to assist with funding. He stated he would like to see more funding become available to provide special license plates.

Assemblyman Gustavson commented on the success of the Lake Tahoe license plate and its popularity throughout the state.

Chairwoman Chowning introduced Tom Stephens, Director of Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). Mr. Stephens briefly explained NDOT and its planned projects and missions for the State of Nevada. He provided a booklet on "Facts and Figures for January 1999" (Exhibit E) which contained information that would help the public understand future and current projects. He spoke of the Transportation Equity Act for the twenty-first Century (TEA21) which replaced the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). He explained available funds would be provided to enhance improvements on various projects. He presented an overview of each state and the amount of funding given to each (Exhibit F) and pointed out Nevada had some of the highest funding in the United States for improvement of transportation. A web site had been established to assist the public with various questions and information. NDOT had made an effort to improve its communication capabilities for the public.

Mr. Stephens talked about (Exhibit G), NDOT Freeway Service Patrol Las Vegas. It explained the following information from April 5 to December 31, 1998:

• Program status;
• Program priorities;
• Patrol routes and hours;
• Patrol vehicles; and
• Driver certification and training.

Mr. Stephens talked briefly about the Highway Super Project Program (Exhibit H) and described each project. He explained how each became categorized by importance. He detailed funding and how those funds were made available for each of the following projects.

• I-15 Widening Las Vegas to California Stateline.
• U.S. 95 in northwest Las Vegas.
• I-580/U.S. 395 Freeway Extension to the State Capitol.
• U.S. 93 Boulder City Bypass.
• The Carson City Bypass (Phase 2).
• U.S. Hoover Dam Bypass.

Mr. Stephens referred to a pamphlet (Exhibit I), that provided information for private property owners. The pamphlet contained information for property owners that explained protection by both state and federal law to receive fair and just compensation when property was needed for development.

Mr. Stephens displayed a picture of Hoover Dam (Exhibit J) and explained the necessity of the proposed U.S. Hoover Dam Bypass. He pointed out it was being treated as a federal project by the Federal Highway Administration. Mr. Stephens went on to explain NDOT’s cooperation with the State of Arizona on the project and how it would require more funds due to its importance as the "lifeline" into Arizona.

He displayed a map that showed construction projects from 1998 to 1999 (Exhibit K). Mr. Stephens illustrated past project accomplishments and projected future goals. He mentioned major ongoing construction and the anticipated re-opening of certain projects. Mr. Stephens gave a brief overview of some of the major construction projects, which included:

• Interstate 115 and Interstate 215, the Henderson Interchange (funding needed);
• Spring Mountain opening;
• Spaghetti Bowl, under construction and due to be completed in 90 days;
• Cheyenne Interchange in progress;
• U.S. 95 had four new structures projected.

Chairwoman Chowning complimented NDOT on work that had been performed and that asphalt millings were being recycled and reused for a bypass road in the small community of Goodsprings. Mr. Stephens noted NDOT’s efforts in areas where financial assistance was lacking. He explained the reuse of materials for development was more cost effective and NDOT, working together with counties, could provide recycled materials when developing roads. Assemblyman Collins complimented Chairwoman Chowning on her involvement with the Goodsprings project. After a map of Elko, Nevada (Exhibit L) was introduced, Assemblyman Collins asked if there were any repairs or maintenance needed to existing roads. Rod Johnson, Assistant Director of Operations, Nevada Department of Transportation, responded that each project was rated as to the type of repair needed. He stated it could take 5 years before repairs became apparent and that older roads were maintained more frequently.

Assemblyman Gustavson asked Mr. Stephens for an update on the Interstate 80/Interstate 395 Reno "Spaghetti Bowl" project. Mr. Stephens explained a study was in progress and funding of $20 million was available for improvements in safety and construction. Noise walls were being built for residences in the area of construction. The "Spaghetti Bowl" for Reno and Las Vegas were similar in design and had much of the same capacity, but Las Vegas was in greater need because of its population. A design contract was in the bid process for the first part of next year.

Mr. Stephens gave an overview of anticipated legislative issues:

• Repeat DUI offenders;

• Logo signs for Las Vegas;
• Design bills for hiring firms; and
• Local government control over highway maintenance.

Chairwoman Chowning complimented accomplishments regarding sound walls made by NDOT in the cities of Henderson and Las Vegas and asked about plans for the proposed monorail in Las Vegas. She stated sound wall bills and the monorail bill had been passed last session. Mr. Stephens cited concerns of private property owners and stated that the monorail route had not been approved yet.

Chairwoman Chowning presented for introduction BDR43-1304, which revise provisions relating to transfer of ownership of motor vehicle and color of license plates.

Chairwoman Chowning adjourned the meeting at 3 p.m. and reminded the committee and audience members that a tour of the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety (DMV&PS) Genesis Project was scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

The Committee on Transportation was given a tour of the Department of Motor Vehicle’s Project Genesis, located in Carson City, Nevada. The tour was led by Bruce Glover, Motor Vehicles Deputy Director; Donna West, Chief of DMV & PS; Carol Falk, Project Genesis Manager and John Lemelin, Project Manager of Deloitte & Touche Consulting Group.

Mr. Lemelin and Ms. Falk began the tour by presenting the employee training areas. They explained the procedures to train DMV employees and how they would be crossed-trained in specific DMV areas. The tour also included the computer programming area. An explanation on the makeup of consulting firms used and duties of each group described how information was programmed to meet critical deadlines for August, 1999.

The tour concluded with a demonstration by Bruce Glover, Motor Vehicles Deputy Director, which provided members a better overview of the anticipated changes the program would produce. A detailed presentation commenced which showed the capabilities of the program and transactions that would improve employee production and accelerate customer service. The demonstration displayed how with basic computer knowledge a DMV employee could perform the simple functions of the program along with multiple functions that allowed customers’ special needs to be handled at any window. Other discussions ensued about technical support, how the system would be maintained during its introduction, and how it would be used throughout the State of Nevada. A brief explanation of the benefits of the Genesis Project was given, which included the attributes for adding the program.

Ms. West concluded the demonstration with a brief outline explaining the projected deadlines for completion of Project Genesis.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

Christine Cole,

Committee Secretary

APPROVED BY:

Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, Chairwoman

DATE: