MINUTES OF THE
SENATE Committee on Commerce and Labor
Seventy-First Session
April 27, 2001
The Senate Committee on Commerce and Laborwas called to order by Chairman Randolph J. Townsend, at 8:00 a.m., on Friday, April 27, 2001, in Room 2135 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 Randolph J. Townsend, Chairman
Senator Ann O’Connell, Vice Chairman
Senator Dean A. Rhoads
Senator Mark Amodei
Senator Raymond C. Shaffer
Senator Michael A. (Mike) Schneider
Senator Maggie Carlton
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
John L. Meder, Committee Policy Analyst
Sharon T. Spencer, Committee Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
Renee Diamond, Administrator, Manufactured Housing Division, Department of Business and Industry
Charles W. Joerg, Lobbyist, Nevada Manufactured Housing Association
Joan Buchanan, Administrator, Real Estate Division, Department of Business and Industry
Pat Coward, Lobbyist, Nevada Association of Realtors
Chairman Townsend opened the hearing on Assembly Bill (A.B.) 203.
ASSEMBLY BILL 203: Revises provisions governing manufactured housing. (BDR 43-560)
Renee Diamond, Administrator, Manufactured Housing Division, Department of Business and Industry, read her testimony into the record (Exhibit C). She explained the measure was drafted to clarify areas in which the division’s legal staff has experienced difficulties in the past. In addition, the Nevada Manufactured Housing Association requested a continuing education component be added to the measure, Ms. Diamond stated.
Charles W. Joerg, Lobbyist, Nevada Manufactured Housing Association, concurred with the testimony of Ms. Diamond. He said the educational component was a tribute to the efforts of Ms. Diamond. Mr. Joerg said he also supported the provision requiring notarization of all sales documents as a method of guaranteeing legal ownership of manufactured homes.
The chairman asked if there was any additional testimony and there was none. He then asked if there were any further questions and there were none. Chairman Townsend called for a vote on the measure.
SENATOR O’CONNELL MOVED TO DO PASS A.B. 203.
SENATOR SCHNEIDER SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Chairman Townsend closed the hearing on A.B. 203 opened the hearing on A.B. 621.
ASSEMBLY BILL 621: Revises provisions relating to real estate. (BDR 54-552)
Joan Buchanan, Administrator, Real Estate Division, Department of Business and Industry, said her division drafted the proposed legislation because there was a need for enabling language to proceed with licensees whose licenses have lapsed. She explained the bill would give the division authority to file actions against licensees who have not renewed their licenses.
Senator O'Connell asked if any notifications were mailed to licensees to remind them they are in danger of defaulting on their licenses for not renewing them, to which Ms. Buchanan responded in the affirmative.
Pat Coward, Lobbyist, Nevada Association of Realtors, said his organization fully supported the proposed legislation. Mr. Coward stated the measure contained a provision allowing the division to take action against individuals who choose not to renew their real estate sales licenses because they have committed professional violations and are attempting to avoid facing possible charges against them. The measure would allow the division to pursue those individuals despite their having defaulted on their licenses. The Real Estate Commission has never before been able to discipline non-licensed real estate agents, he said. Assembly Bill 621 would change that by granting the commission the ability to take action against individuals after investigations have been conducted.
Senator O'Connell disclosed her husband is a real estate broker and Chairman Townsend said his wife held the same license; however, Chairman Townsend added, neither spouse is affected any differently than any other licensee.
Chairman Townsend asked if there was any additional testimony and there was none. He then asked if there were any further questions and there were none. Chairman Townsend called for a vote on the measure.
SENATOR O’CONNELL MOVED TO DO PASS A.B. 621.
SENATOR SCHNEIDER SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
*****
Chairman Townsend closed the hearing on A.B. 621 and opened the hearing on A.B. 192.
ASSEMBLY BILL 192: Revises provisions relating to barber schools. (BDR 54‑735)
Senator O'Connell asked if there was a law requiring barbershops to be closed on Mondays to which Senator Carlton explained barbershops closed on Mondays as a unified effort, or coalition, and not because it was law.
Chairman Townsend said the measure, overall, was straightforward; however, certain aspects of the measure needed language clarification. He suggested holding the measure for a work session.
Chairman Townsend closed the hearing on A.B. 192 and opened the hearing on a work session to review Amendment No. 517 to Senate Bill (S.B.)_425, that would resolve conflicts with A.B 369.
SENATE BILL 425: Makes various changes concerning certain utilities operated by certain governmental entities. (BDR 20‑1243)
ASSEMBLY BILL 369: Revises and repeals various provisions governing the regulation of public utilities. (BDR 58‑1156)
Chairman Townsend said there were no substantive changes to S.B. 425, and suggested new language was intended entirely as conflict resolution.
Chairman Townsend asked if there was any additional testimony and there was none. There being no further business before the committee, Chairman Townsend adjourned the hearing at 8:46 a.m.
Sharon T. Spencer,
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Senator Randolph J. Townsend, Chairman
DATE: