MINUTES OF THE meeting
of the
ASSEMBLY Committee on Transportation
Seventy-First Session
March 8, 2001
The Committee on Transportationwas called to order at 1:38 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, 2001. 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 Chairman
Mr. John Carpenter
Ms. Barbara Cegavske
Mr. Jerry Claborn
Mr. Tom Collins
Mr. Don Gustavson
Mr. John J. Lee
Ms. Kathy McClain
Mr. Dennis Nolan
Mr. John Oceguera
Mrs. Debbie Smith
GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:
Assemblyman Bernie Anderson, Assembly District 31
Assemblywoman Marcia de Braga, Assembly District 35
Assemblyman Douglas Bache, Assembly District 11
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Paul Mouritsen, Committee Policy Analyst
Sue Modarelli, Recording Committee Secretary
Geri Mosey, Committee Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
Greg Williams, Chairman of the Marketing Committee, Reno Rodeo Association
Steve Walther, Representing the Reno Rodeo Association
Sadie Myers, Junior at Lowry High School, and State Student President of the Nevada State High School Rodeo Association (NSHSRA)
Rich Lee, National Director, Nevada State High School Rodeo Association
Berlyn Miller, Member of Las Vegas Events Board of Directors and Chairman of the Nationals Final Rodeo
Richard Kirkland, Director, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety (DMV&PS)
Dana Mathiesen, Central Services and Records, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety (DMV&PS)
Virginia “Ginny” Lewis, Deputy Director, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety (DMV&PS)
Chris Ferrari, Issues Manager, The McMullen Strategic Group
Daryl Capurro, Representing Nevada Motor Transport Association
John Holmes, Citizen
Ronald Dreher, President, Peace Officers Research Association of Nevada
Steve Turner, Retired Reno Police Officer
Assembly Bill 113: Provides for issuance of special license plates for support of rodeos. (BDR 43-1005)
Assemblyman Bernie Anderson, representing Assembly District 31, testified in support of A.B. 113, which created a new license plate to fund the philanthropic needs of the Reno Rodeo Foundation, to support high school rodeo programs in Nevada and travel to events in other states.
Assemblywoman Marcia de Braga, representing Assembly District 35, supported A.B. 113, which, as proposed, benefited the Reno Rodeo Foundation and the Nevada High School Rodeo Association. Though the amount of money generated was unknown, Ms. de Braga wished to amend the bill to ensure that a significant amount would be distributed to individual high school rodeo clubs to establish and promote rodeos related to youth sports activities, without jeopardizing the state appropriation that sent the top four qualifiers to the National Finals Rodeo.
Chairwoman Chowning stated there would be no action on A.B. 113 until the committee received the amendment proposed by Ms. de Braga.
Assemblyman Collins asked if there was a formula or a split in mind. Assemblywoman de Braga had none and wanted to discuss it with the association. The license plate revenue would never be a stabilized amount of money but perhaps a percentage split could be established.
Chairwoman Chowning explained the mechanics of issuing special plates, the cost of these plates, and the success of some existing personalized plates. The Lake Tahoe plate was extremely successful, raising about $1 million. This money was raised because people chose to purchase the plates.
Greg Williams, Chairman of the Marketing Committee of the Reno Rodeo Association, supported A.B. 113. Rodeos were held from McDermitt to Las Vegas, Elko to Reno, and all points in between. Ninety-nine percent of the rodeos held in Nevada were charitable. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association said that Nevada pays out more than twice the rodeo purse money than any other state. Nevada hosted the National Finals Rodeo, the National Finals for the seniors, the Professional Bull Riders Association National Finals and the Reno Rodeo, which was the third largest outdoor rodeo in the nation.
Mr. Williams revealed there were three designs being considered for the plate. The first featured Charlie Gardner, a Humboldt County cowboy who went to the National Finals. The second depicted a cowboy on a bucking horse with a sunburst under the horse. The third design portrayed a rider with the American flag. The three plates would be shown on several Web sites for people to vote on. The Nevada Highway Patrol must approve the final design.
Steve Walther, representing the Reno Rodeo Association, stated the first Reno rodeo was held in 1919. It became the longest standing private event in Nevada and the second highest paying rodeo in the United States. In the 1970s, the rodeo expanded from three to ten days. The Reno Rodeo Foundation was formed in 1987 with the proceeds designated for charitable gifts and grants to 501(c)(3) organizations that assisted children with handicaps or special needs. Mr. Walther requested the committee’s support.
Assemblyman Claborn was disturbed that southern Nevada was not included in distribution of the money. Mr. Walther responded the foundation had a scholarship program at UNR for students who were not exclusively from the ranching community, but they sought to give benefits to those from the rural “way of life” who wanted to attend the university. The Reno Rodeo Foundation had given scholarships to Las Vegas and southern Nevada students, and that scholarship program grew to approximately one of the top three or four scholarship programs at UNR. Scholarships did not need to be restricted to UNR, he concluded.
Mr. Anderson remarked that the high school rodeo program was a statewide program. Many of the license plates had regional qualities, and some were statewide. He believed the rodeo plate had a broader spectrum through the high school rodeo program.
Chairwoman Chowning asked Mr. Walther to describe how he thought proceeds would be used. Mr. Walther said the funds would likely augment the association’s existing programs. As part of the record of legislative intent, Chairwoman Chowning requested a written conceptual proposal of how the funds might be used.
Sadie Myers, a junior at Lowry High in Winnemucca and State Student President of the Nevada State High School Rodeo Association (NSHSRA) requested the committee’s support of A.B. 113. The Nevada State High School Rodeo Association, an affiliate of the National High School Rodeo Association, had 230 members. Ms. Myers said the association was created to give high school students an opportunity to participate and compete in the challenging sport of the state’s western heritage.
NSHSRA offered a program in which high school athletes could compete on a scale comparable to collegiate and professional rodeo competitors. It was an independent student athletic association governed without the support or supervision of school administration or financial support. Members were required to be fully insured and were supervised and guided by adult experts. Ms. Myers said the association was founded on, and demanded from its members, the highest caliber of conduct and sportsmanship. Students must meet strict academic standards to be eligible for participation.
During the year, 17 rodeos were held, with one state finals rodeo, throughout the state where contestants competed for prizes and points for placing in the top ten in their events. All points were added after the state finals to determine the top four qualifiers in each event who advanced to the National Finals High School Rodeo. Participants learned the importance of education, leadership, responsibility, dedication, and commitment to the goals they had set. These high schoolers were never bored; the sport was too time-consuming and demanding. Expenses were the responsibility of the individual. Participation in all 17 scheduled events produced an annual cost of approximately $6,800 per contestant.
Competitions throughout the state benefited each town with income for lodging, restaurants, gas stations and miscellaneous purchases. These students also completed volunteer service projects such as collecting canned food and toys, community cleanup, and working with elementary school children. Each year at the state finals a Special Olympics Rodeo provided special needs children with a chance to experience a horseback ride and to participate in simulated rodeo events. Ms. Myers testified that this activity was one of the most rewarding experiences with which a teenager could be involved.
The state organization was funded from within and one of the primary goals each year was to reward the best and most deserving participants with college scholarships. The funds were raised throughout the year by fundraisers such as barbeques, raffles and auctions. With the committee’s support of A.B. 113, all revenue from the sale of the plates would be used for the scholarship fund and the annual operation of the association. Ms. Myers affirmed they would be sincerely proud and grateful to reward deserving Nevada high school rodeo members with additional scholarship monies and to assure the continuance of one of the finest youth organizations in Nevada.
Rich Lee, National Director of Nevada State High School Rodeo Association, testified in support of A.B. 113. The scholarship monies were distributed throughout the state. The annual cost for the state finals was $80,000 to $100,000, for prizes, stock and the scholarships. The money from A.B. 113 would be distributed through those scholarships and to the local clubs for the benefit of the student members.
Chairwoman Chowning asked whether Mr. Lee anticipated a long time to secure the necessary 250 signatures for the proposed plate. He responded that the association had 230 members and he was sure the 250 signatures would come from the membership.
Berlyn Miller, a member of Las Vegas Events Board of Directors and Chairman of the Nationals Final Rodeo, testified in support of A.B. 113. The Las Vegas Events Board contributed to the sport of rodeo in Nevada, through the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Rodeo Team and the Miss Rodeo America Pageant, between $50,000 and $100,000 annually. He said the events board supported the bill and encouraged the committee to pass A.B. 113. He suggested to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association that this be done in other states.
Richard Kirkland, Director, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety (DMV&PS), testified in support of A.B. 113.
Dana Mathiesen, Central Services and Records, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety (DMV&PS), noted that the department submitted a fiscal note (Exhibit C) of $9,881 relative to A.B. 113. The department had a revolving account that funded the production of new plates. However, she advised while it once took 250 signatures to cover the initial cost to manufacture the plates, it now required 285 signatures. If the bill passed with the 250 signatures requirement, the plate would be produced with the revolving account.
Chairwoman Chowning closed the hearing on A.B. 113.
Assembly Bill 136: Requires issuance and display of one license plate for motor vehicle. (BDR 43-952)
Assemblyman Don Gustavson, representing Assembly District 32, testified in support of A.B. 136, which eliminated the requirement for a front license plate on a vehicle. Many new vehicles, and many classic ones, provided no front area for a license plate. He showed 23 examples of automobiles that had no provisions for a front plate (Exhibit D). Twenty states did not require the front plate, including Pennsylvania, Florida and Arizona.
Ms. Ohrenschall inquired whether one plate would change the fee. She also felt that having only one plate made it more difficult for witnesses to identify a vehicle. Mr. Gustavson responded that most vehicle identifications were done on the rear of the vehicle.
Assemblyman Gustavson asked to amend the bill to continue to make two plates for the personalized plates. Virginia Lewis, Deputy Director, DMV&PS, confirmed they charged $.50 per plate or $1 per set, which was transmitted to the prison industry. If A.B. 136was amended to provide for two personalized plates, the fee would be $1. This was not difficult to accomplish, she testified, and would be at the discretion of the customer.
Richard Kirkland, Director, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety (DMV&PS) testified in support of A.B. 136, which would save the department over $500,000 annually (Exhibit E). He said most vehicles were observed from the rear where most of the identification came from. A study of the United States and the Canadian provinces showed an almost even split between the front and no-front plates.
Chris Ferrari, McMullen Strategic Group, testified in support of A.B. 136, primarily due to the lack of a proper area on most vehicles for attaching a front plate.
Daryl Capurro, a concerned citizen, testified in favor of A.B. 136. Since many states had eliminated the requirement for the front plate and more vehicles were manufactured without the front bracket, it was extremely difficult to attach a front plate to new vehicles. He felt the time had come to eliminate the front plate.
John Holmes, private citizen, surveyed dealers of specialty cars that were not intended to have front plates and learned that not one buyer had requested the front plate modification. He then surveyed members of his car club who owned those vehicles; none had received a ticket for not having the front plate. Mr. Holmes also called the DMV&PS and asked them if he needed the two plates for an expensive new car he had purchased, which had no front license plate area. He testified that an individual at DMV&PS said they “liked to have them, but it’s not required.” He believed the two-plates provision was not enforced carefully. Mr. Holmes strongly recommended passage of A.B. 136.
Ronald Dreher, representing the Peace Officers Research Association of Nevada, testified against A.B. 136. Since most vehicles were so similar in appearance and difficult to describe and identify, he believed two plates assisted law enforcement in identifying vehicles and locating suspects in crimes. He suggested the committee carefully weigh the cost savings against the potential of identifying, locating and apprehending of suspects.
Steve Turner, retired Reno police officer, reiterated what Mr. Dreher said and opposed A.B. 136. He divulged that a police officer, searching for a vehicle by description with just a partial license plate number, often cruised against traffic observing the front plates. A single back plate often meant the vehicle was stolen.
Chairwoman Chowning closed the hearing on A.B. 136 and opened the hearing on A.B. 229.
Assembly Bill 229: Authorizes department of motor vehicles and public safety to design, prepare and issue special license plates upon request in certain circumstances. (BDR 43-55)
Assemblyman Douglas Bache, representing Assembly District 11, stated A.B. 229 was part of S.B. 67 of the Seventieth Session. It:
Assemblyman Carpenter asked Mr. Bache to clarify the “cap.” Mr. Bache reiterated the language of A.B. 229 stipulated only five additional plates could be issued by the DMV&PS unless an existing plate was retired; the legislature could not be capped. Future legislatures could make their own decisions on the issuance of a special plate. Mr. Carpenter felt more clarification was needed.
Chairwoman Chowning said there were ten existing special plates. So, she concluded, if A.B. 229 passed, there would be no more than 15. But, in fact, Mr. Bache responded, there could be more if the legislature approved them.
Assemblywoman Ohrenschall voiced a concern regarding the words “the department shall not issue.” When the legislature approved a plate, the department issued it. There might be an implication that the department would not be able to issue more than five, if one or more were approved by the legislature. She suggested stating “the department shall not issue on its own accord more than….”
Assemblyman Collins asked on what criteria DMV&PS would pick those five. Plates would be issued in the order in which they qualified. Assemblyman Nolan inquired whether the intent was to give DMV&PS the ability to approve special plates, thereby reducing the workload of the legislature, yet not preventing an organization from approaching the legislature to approve a plate. Mr. Bache replied affirmatively. He believed most would approach the DMV&PS first because fewer applications were required.
Virginia Lewis, Deputy Director, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety (DMV&PS), had two concerns. The first was that the approval of special plates was emotional. The department needed to establish, through regulation, solid criteria for what would be approved or disapproved. She suggested perhaps an advisory committee that met quarterly so that DMV&PS was not the sole decision maker. The second concern was that DMV&PS would be required to recall a plate from customers if the plate fell below the minimum application level. Both situations created difficulties for the department at a time when it was attempting to improve its image with the public.
Chairwoman Chowning asked if more types of plates could present a problem for law enforcement. Ms. Lewis stated she would contact Colonel Hood of the Nevada Highway Patrol and would respond to the committee afterward.
Dana Mathiesen, Central Services and Records, DMV&PS, commented the department had issued 28 types of special plates, identified in statute under the heading Special Plates, such as Congressional Medal of Honor, Members of the Press, U.S. Senators and Representatives, and others, which did not require the minimum number of applications for the department to produce them (Exhibit F).
A.B. 229 specified the “department would withdraw a special plate after one year if the number issued was less than the number of initial requests required for the design and preparation of the plate.” She suggested it would be helpful to include a separate definition of special plates as they applied to the provisions of A.B. 229 in order not to be confused with the above-mentioned special plates issued by DMV&PS.
Ms. Mathiesen expressed concerns associated with the requirement to withdraw special plates after they had been approved and produced. One was the customer service issue. The other was that the initial production cost for a new plate was approximately $9,881. The materials purchased with those funds would produce 1,500 sets of plates. If the plate was withdrawn after a one-year period, the department would be unable to recover the initial cost of manufacturing the plate through revenues generated by renewals.
Ms. Mathiesen said Sections 2 and 3 of A.B. 229 designated that after the legislature or the department had approved a special plate, a minimum of 1,000 to 2,000 applications must be submitted within a two-year period. That had the potential to delay the production of the special plate for up to two years after they were approved by the legislature or the DMV&PS.
A.B. 229 allowed for the issuance of special plates for passenger cars, light commercial vehicles or motorcycles. Motorcycles were not included in the other special plates statutes because special sheeting and dyes were required to produce them, which effectively doubled the cost of plate production. From the department perspective, Ms. Mathiesen stated, less than 283 applications for a motorcycle plate would not cover the cost of their production. She recommended the removal of the word motorcycle from Section 4, or the inclusion of language that specified that the motorcycle plates would only be manufactured with the special design if the department received a minimum of 285 motorcycle plate applications.
Mr. Nolan said he had spoken about various special plates with a lieutenant at the Highway Patrol who felt the plates made the job easier because there were fewer digits to check on.
Chairwoman Chowning closed the hearing on A.B. 229.
There was no further business. The meeting adjourned at 3:32 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Linda Lee Nary
Transcribing Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, Chairwoman
DATE: