MINUTES OF THE meeting

of the

ASSEMBLY Subcommittee on Transportation

 

Seventy-First Session

May 14, 2001

 

The Subcommittee on Transportationwas called to order at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 14, 2001.  Assemblyman Oceguera 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:

 

Mr.                     John Oceguera, Chairman

Ms.                     Kathy McClain

Mr.                     Dennis Nolan

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Paul Mouritsen, Committee Policy Analyst

Geri Mosey, Committee Secretary

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

Kim Morgan, Assembly Bill Draft Advisor, Legislative Counsel Bureau

Bruce Breslow, Commissioner, Transportation Services Authority of Nevada

Gary Milliken, Representing Yellow-Checker-Star Transportation

 

Senate Bill 119:  Requires taxicab authority to establish program for transportation by taxicab of elderly persons and permanently handicapped persons in certain counties. (BDR 58-692)

 

Kim Morgan, Assembly Bill Draft Advisor, Legislative Counsel Bureau, explained Joint Standing Rule 14.7 (Exhibit C), which was enacted in 1999 for the 120‑day session.  It revised the rules on germaneness to narrow what could be pulled from one bill into another.  In order for an amendment to be made to an existing bill, the amendment had “to relate to the specific whole subject embraced by the bill.”  In this case, the three amendments to S.B. 119, which dealt with the transportation of elderly and permanently handicapped persons, were much broader than the specific subject described by the bill title.  Ms. Morgan opined the three did not qualify. 

 

Chairman Oceguera noted there were four issues for the subcommittee:  the bus amendment, the safety belt amendment, the gaming exemption amendment, and the bill itself.

 

Bruce Breslow, Commissioner, Transportation Services Authority (TSA) of Nevada, testified there was disagreement on a requirement that drivers must speak English.  That was removed, as was an amendment that required a moratorium that some felt impacted the smaller limousine operators.  Mr. Oceguera interrupted for clarification.  Mr. Breslow explained the original bill, S.B. 270, called for a moratorium, which the small limousine operators believed would prevent them from fulfilling the certificates that allowed them to run more vehicles, up to 15, if their businesses were financially viable within a year. 

 

The only change Mr. Breslow brought to the meeting was the withdrawal of Section 2, the definition of a bus.  He believed there was a need for it but felt the definition was not yet adequate.  TSA supported the gaming amendment, he said, but the seat belt amendment might be eliminated. 

 

Mr. Oceguera inquired if these were unanimous decisions by the board.  Mr. Breslow replied there was no opposition to S.B. 270, but serious discussions evolved around the definition of a bus.  Rather than risk losing the legislation, the TSA determined not to submit Section 2 in S.B 119.  He was unaware of other controversies. 

 

Assemblyman Nolan asked whether Mr. Breslow had known, prior to this meeting, of the information Ms. Morgan presented.  Mr. Breslow testified he was “shocked” this morning to learn they could not have the amendments.  They and their attorneys were told last week, several times, by the Legislative Counsel Bureau the amendments were “fine.”

 

Gary Milliken, representing Yellow-Checker-Star Transportation, sought the ability to put a sign in their cabs urging passengers to wear safety belts.  However, since he felt it could be worked out with the TSA, he had no problem with the withdrawal of the amendment.

 

The Chair requested a motion to recommend the Assembly Committee on Transportation do pass S.B. 119 without any amendments.

 

            ASSEMBLYWOMAN MCCLAIN MOVED TO RECOMMEND the Assembly Committee on Transportation DO PASS S.B. 119 WITHOUT ANY AMENDMENTS.

 

            ASSEMBLYMAN NOLAN SECONDED.

 

            THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Assemblyman Oceguera closed the subcommittee hearing on S.B. 119.

 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

Linda Lee Nary

Transcribing Secretary

 

 

APPROVED BY:

 

 

 

                       

Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, Chairwoman

 

 

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