Senate Bill No. 18–Committee on Judiciary

Prefiled January 18, 1999

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Referred to Committee on Judiciary

 

SUMMARY—Prohibits certain acts related to biological weapons. (BDR 15-108)

FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No.

Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: Yes.

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

 

AN ACT relating to biological weapons; prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling, transfer, acquisition, retention or possession of a biological agent, toxin or delivery system in certain circumstances; providing a penalty; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

1-1 Section 1. Chapter 202 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a

1-2 new section to read as follows:

1-3 1. A person who knowingly develops, produces, stockpiles, transfers,

1-4 acquires, retains or possesses a biological agent, toxin or delivery system

1-5 for use as a weapon, or who knowingly assists an organization to do so, is

1-6 guilty of a category A felony and shall be punished by imprisonment in

1-7 the state prison:

1-8 (a) For life with the possibility of parole, with eligibility for parole

1-9 beginning when a minimum of 10 years has been served; or

1-10 (b) For a definite term of 25 years, with eligibility for parole beginning

1-11 when a minimum of 10 years has been served.

1-12 2. As used in this section:

1-13 (a) "Biological agent" has the meaning ascribed to it in 18 U.S.C. §

1-14 178.

1-15 (b) "Delivery system" has the meaning ascribed to it in 18 U.S.C. §

1-16 178.

1-17 (c) "Toxin" has the meaning ascribed to it in 18 U.S.C. § 178.

1-18 3. As used in this section, the term "for use as a weapon" does not

1-19 include the development, production, transfer, acquisition, retention or

2-1 possession of a biological agent, toxin or delivery system for prophylactic,

2-2 protective or other peaceful purposes.

2-3 Sec. 2. The amendatory provisions of this act do not apply to acts that

2-4 are committed before October 1, 1999.

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