The Senate Committee on Transportation was called to order by Chairman William R. O'Donnell, at 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, February 2, 1999, in Room 2149 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster. All exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

Senator William R. O'Donnell, Chairman

Senator Lawrence E. Jacobsen

Senator Raymond C. Shaffer

Senator Maurice Washington

Senator Valerie Wiener

Senator Terry Care

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Mark Amodei, Vice Chairman (Excused)

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

Joan Moseid, Committee Secretary

OTHERS PRESENT:

Chairman O’Donnell opened the meeting by introducing the Standing Rules of the Senate Committee on Transportation (Exhibit C). Chairman O’Donnell commented the same rules apply as last year; except item 12 was added. He reviewed item 12 in detail.

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Chairman O’Donnell continued the meeting by introducing committee members and asked for remarks. Chairman O’Donnell introduced the Committee Transportation Secretaries. He then introduced Paul Mouritsen, Committee Policy Analyst, Research Division, Legislative Counsel Bureau.

Mr. Mouritsen, presented a committee brief (Exhibit D) providing background information from the 1995 and 1997 Legislative Sessions and information forthcoming in the 1999 Legislative Session.

Senator Wiener called attention to the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) and The Transportation Efficiency Act of the 21^st Century (TEA-21) from the last session of Congress. Senator Wiener queried whether this committee had reviewed the lengthy testimony given on the immobilization of vehicles with the breath analysis inter-locking device. She also expressed concern that this enforcement would cause a road hazard on the freeway if the vehicle was stopped immediately based on the intoxication of the driver. Mr. Mouritsen replied that the committee had addressed this concern last session and there are still questions on understanding exactly what Congress would require of the states.

Chairman O’Donnell reviewed some of the issues the committee will be focusing on this session. He announced that the Assembly will introduce a seatbelt law, and he had introduced Bill Draft Request (BDR) 43-159 regarding speed limits for school zones.

Bill Draft Request (BDR) 43-159: Revises provisions governing speed limits in school zones. (Later introduced as Senate Bill 80.)

Chairman O’Donnell strongly indicated he had concerns that when lights are flashing in a school zone a driver has to drive 15 mph and when lights are shut off, a driver can drive at regular speed of 45 mph. He pointed out an example in Las Vegas; on Jones Boulevard a driver can drive 45 mph, where there are no flashing lights, and it is zoned for a school, but Desert Inn Road is zoned for the same school and a driver has to drive 15 mph.

Chairman O’Donnell mentioned another bill pertaining to graduated drivers’ licenses will be introduced by the Assembly and is considered important. He said this bill would have an effect on teenage driving and their graduating level of abilities as a student. Chairman O’Donnell explained that a student at age 16 will receive a special privilege, and a student at age 16 ½ will receive extra special privileges related to drivers’ license.

Chairman O’Donnell announced that Transportation Services Authority (TSA) has a bill asking to merge with the Taxicab Authority (TA), but the Taxicab Authority has some reservations about the merging process. Chairman O’Donnell expressed his concern and would like to proceed cautiously and slowly to make sure this issue is handled properly. He also announced the open house at Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety (DMV&PS) on the Genesis project and asked if anyone was present from the Genesis project. Chairman O’Donnell informed everyone that transportation was available to preview the Genesis system and requested additional comments.

Senator Jacobsen commented that he had served on the interim Genesis committee and Jack Close Sr., former Assemblyman and chairman of the Genesis committee, deserved a great deal of credit for his hard work. Senator Jacobsen remarked how the Genesis automated system would be an outstanding service to the State of Nevada once it is on-line and running properly.

Senator Jacobsen suggested to the committee he would like to see a display of Nevada’s special license plates on the wall in the committee room or a picture of the DMV&PS display board. Senator Jacobsen informed the committee that DMV&PS is contemplating issuing new plates next year. Chairman O’Donnell agreed with Senator Jacobsen that a picture of the license plates would look appropriate on the wall in the transportation committee room.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

Joan Moseid,

Committee Secretary

APPROVED BY:

Senator William R. O'Donnell, Chairman

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