Senate Bill No. 384–Senator Shaffer

March 12, 1999

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Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

 

SUMMARY—Requires electric utility that places high-voltage wires on private property without owner’s permission to pay compensation to owner. (BDR 58-1494)

FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: Yes.

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 utilities; requiring an electric utility that places high-voltage wires on private property without the owner’s permission to pay compensation to the owner; 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 704 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a

1-2 new section to read as follows:

1-3 1. If an electric utility places wires carrying high voltage on, over or

1-4 under private property without the written permission of the owner, the

1-5 owner is entitled to compensation for the presence, and any hazard

1-6 resulting from the presence, of the wires. The owner may recover this

1-7 compensation within 15 years after he discovers that the wires were

1-8 placed or that high voltage is being carried by wires previously placed.

1-9 2. If the utility’s failure to negotiate in good faith causes the owner

1-10 to seek legal action to recover compensation, the owner is also entitled to

1-11 recover his costs and attorney’s fees in bringing the action.

1-12 3. As used in this section, "high voltage" means voltage greater than

1-13 240 volts.

1-14 Sec. 2. This act becomes effective upon passage and approval.

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