Senate Bill No. 557–Committee on Government Affairs

 

CHAPTER..........

 

AN ACT relating to taxation; revising the formula for the distribution among counties of certain revenue from the tax on certain motor vehicle fuel; providing for a review of the estimates of the total mileage of roads or streets maintained by each county and incorporated city prepared by the department of transportation; extending the date for expiration of the legislative committee to study the distribution among local governments of revenue from state and local taxes and certain statutory provisions relating thereto; changing the name of the committee to the legislative committee for local government taxes and finance; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

   Section 1. NRS 365.550 is hereby amended to read as follows:

   365.550  1.  The receipts of the tax levied pursuant to NRS 365.180

must be allocated monthly by the department to the counties using the

following formula:

   (a) [One-fourth in proportion to total area.

   (b) One-fourth in proportion to population.

   (c) One-fourth in proportion to road mileage and street mileage of

nonfederal aid primary roads.

   (d) One-fourth in proportion to vehicle miles of travel on nonfederal aid

primary roads.] Determine the average monthly amount each county

received in the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2001, and allocate to each

county that amount, or if the total amount to be allocated is less than that

amount, allocate to each county a percentage of the total amount to be

allocated that is equal to the percentage of the total amount allocated to

that county in the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2000;

   (b) Determine for each county an amount from the total amount to be

allocated using the following formula:

     (1) Two-thirds in proportion to population; and

     (2) One-third in proportion to road mileage and street mileage of

improved roads or streets maintained by the county or an incorporated

city located within the county,

and compare that amount to the amount allocated to the county pursuant

to paragraph (a);

   (c) Identify each county for which the amount determined pursuant to

paragraph (b) is greater than the amount allocated to the county

pursuant to paragraph (a); and

   (d) Allocate to any county which is identified pursuant to paragraph

(c), using the formula set forth in paragraph (b), any amount from the

tax levied pursuant to NRS 365.180 that remains after the allocation

required pursuant to paragraph (a).

   2.  Within 10 calendar days after June 1 of each fiscal year, the

department shall:

   (a) Project the total amount that each county will be allocated

pursuant to subsection 1 for the current fiscal year.

   (b) If the total amount allocated to all the counties will not exceed the

total amount that was received by all the counties for the fiscal year


ending on June 30, 2001, adjust the final monthly allocation to be made

to each county so that each county is allocated a percentage of the total

amount to be allocated that is equal to the percentage of the total amount

allocated to that county in the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2001.

   (c) If a county receives an allocation pursuant to paragraph (d) of

subsection 1, determine whether the total monthly allocations projected

to be made to that county pursuant to subsection 1 for the current fiscal

year exceed the total amount the county received in the fiscal year ending

on June 30, 2001. If the total monthly allocations projected to be made to

the county do not exceed the total amount the county received in the

fiscal year ending on June 30, 2001, the department shall adjust the final

monthly allocation to be made to the county for the current fiscal year so

that the total amount allocated to the county for the current fiscal year

equals the total amount the county received in the fiscal year ending on

June 30, 2001.

   3.  Of the money allocated to each county pursuant to the provisions of

[subsection 1: ] subsections 1 and 2:

   (a) An amount equal to that part of the allocation which represents 1.25

cents of the tax per gallon must be used exclusively for the service and

redemption of revenue bonds issued pursuant to chapter 373 of NRS, for

the construction, maintenance and repair of county roads, and for the

purchase of equipment for that construction, maintenance and repair, under

the direction of the boards of county commissioners of the several counties,

and must not be used to defray expenses of administration; and

   (b) An amount equal to that part of the allocation which represents 2.35

cents of the tax per gallon must be allocated [pursuant to the following

formula:

     (1) If there are no incorporated cities in the county,] to the county [;

and

     (2) If there is at least one incorporated city in the county,] , if there

are no incorporated cities in the county, or to the county and any

incorporated cities in the county , if there is at least one incorporated city

in the county, pursuant to the following formula [set forth for counties in

subsection 1.] :

     (1) One-fourth in proportion to total area.

     (2) One-fourth in proportion to population.

     (3) One-fourth in proportion to road mileage and street mileage of

nonfederal aid primary roads.

     (4) One-fourth in proportion to vehicle miles of travel on

nonfederal aid primary roads.

For the purpose of applying the formula, the area of the county excludes

the area included in any incorporated city.

   [3.] 4.  The amount allocated to the counties and incorporated cities

pursuant to subsections 1 , [and] 2 and 3 must be remitted monthly. The

state controller shall draw his warrants payable to the county treasurer of

each of the several counties and the city treasurer of each of the several

incorporated cities, as applicable, and the state treasurer shall pay the

warrants out of the proceeds of the tax levied pursuant to NRS 365.180.

   [4.] 5.  The formula computations must be made as of July 1 of each

year by the department, based on estimates which must be furnished by the


department of transportation[. The] and, if applicable, any adjustments to

the estimates determined to be appropriate by the committee pursuant to

subsection 9. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 9, the

determination made by the department is conclusive.

   [5.] 6. The department of transportation shall complete:

   (a) The estimates of the total mileage of improved roads or streets

maintained by each county and incorporated city on or before August 31

of each year.

   (b) A physical audit of the information submitted by each county and

incorporated city pursuant to subsection 7 at least once every 10 years.

   7.  Each county and incorporated city shall, not later than [January]

March 1 of each year, submit a list to the department of transportation

setting forth:

   (a) Each improved road or street that is maintained by the county or

city; and

   (b) The beginning and ending points and the total mileage of each of

those improved roads or streets.

Each county and incorporated city shall, at least 10 days before the list is

submitted to the department of transportation, hold a public hearing to

identify and determine the improved roads and streets maintained by the

county or city.

   [6.] 8. If a county or incorporated city does not agree with the

estimates prepared by the department of transportation pursuant to

subsection 6, the county or incorporated city may request that the

subcommittee examine the estimates and recommend an adjustment to

the estimates. Such a request must be submitted to the subcommittee not

later than October 15.

   9.  The subcommittee shall review any request it receives pursuant to

subsection 8 and report to the committee its findings and any

recommendations for an adjustment to the estimates it determines is

appropriate. The committee shall hold a public hearing and determine

whether an adjustment to the estimates is appropriate on or before

December 31 of the year it receives a request pursuant to subsection 8.

Any determination made by the committee pursuant to this subsection is

conclusive.

   10.  The subcommittee shall monitor the fiscal impact of the formula

set forth in this section on counties and incorporated cities and report

regularly to the committee concerning its findings and recommendations

regarding that fiscal impact.

   11.  As used in this section[, “construction,] :

   (a) “Committee” means the legislative committee for local government

taxes and finance established pursuant to NRS 218.53881.

   (b) “Construction, maintenance and repair” includes the acquisition,

operation or use of any material, equipment or facility that is used

exclusively for the construction, maintenance or repair of a county or city

road and is necessary for the safe and efficient use of that road, including,

without limitation:

   [(a)] (1) Grades and regrades;

   [(b)] (2) Graveling, oiling, surfacing, macadamizing and paving;


   [(c)] (3) Sweeping, cleaning and sanding roads and removing snow

from a road;

   [(d)] (4) Crosswalks and sidewalks;

   [(e)] (5) Culverts, catch basins, drains, sewers and manholes;

   [(f)] (6) Inlets and outlets;

   [(g)] (7) Retaining walls, bridges, overpasses, underpasses, tunnels and

approaches;

   [(h)] (8) Artificial lights and lighting equipment, parkways, control of

vegetation and sprinkling facilities;

   [(i)] (9) Rights of way;

   [(j)] (10) Grade and traffic separators;

   [(k)] (11) Fences, cattle guards and other devices to control access to a

county or city road;

   [(l)] (12) Signs and devices for the control of traffic; and

   [(m)] (13) Facilities for personnel and the storage of equipment used to

construct, maintain or repair a county or city road.

   (c) “Improved road or street” means a road or street that is, at least:

     (1) Aligned and graded to allow reasonably convenient use by a

motor vehicle; and

     (2) Drained sufficiently by a longitudinal and transverse drainage

system to prevent serious impairment of the road or street by surface

water.

   (d) “Subcommittee” means the subcommittee appointed pursuant to

NRS 218.53884.

   Sec. 2.  NRS 365.550 is hereby amended to read as follows:

   365.550  1.  The receipts of the tax levied pursuant to NRS 365.180

must be allocated monthly by the department to the counties using the

following formula:

   (a) Determine the average monthly amount each county received in the

fiscal year ending on June 30, 2001, and allocate to each county that

amount, or if the total amount to be allocated is less than that amount,

allocate to each county a percentage of the total amount to be allocated that

is equal to the percentage of the total amount allocated to that county in the

fiscal year ending on June 30, 2000;

   (b) Determine for each county an amount from the total amount to be

allocated using the following formula:

     (1) Two-thirds in proportion to population; and

     (2) One-third in proportion to road mileage and street mileage of

improved roads or streets maintained by the county or an incorporated city

located within the county,

and compare that amount to the amount allocated to the county pursuant to

paragraph (a);

   (c) Identify each county for which the amount determined pursuant to

paragraph (b) is greater than the amount allocated to the county pursuant to

paragraph (a); and

   (d) Allocate to any county which is identified pursuant to paragraph (c),

using the formula set forth in paragraph (b), any amount from the tax

levied pursuant to NRS 365.180 that remains after the allocation required

pursuant to paragraph (a).


   2.  Within 10 calendar days after June 1 of each fiscal year, the

department shall:

   (a) Project the total amount that each county will be allocated pursuant

to subsection 1 for the current fiscal year.

   (b) If the total amount allocated to all the counties will not exceed the

total amount that was received by all the counties for the fiscal year ending

on June 30, 2001, adjust the final monthly allocation to be made to each

county so that each county is allocated a percentage of the total amount to

be allocated that is equal to the percentage of the total amount allocated to

that county in the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2001.

   (c) If a county receives an allocation pursuant to paragraph (d) of

subsection 1, determine whether the total monthly allocations projected to

be made to that county pursuant to subsection 1 for the current fiscal year

exceed the total amount the county received in the fiscal year ending on

June 30, 2001. If the total monthly allocations projected to be made to the

county do not exceed the total amount the county received in the fiscal year

ending on June 30, 2001, the department shall adjust the final monthly

allocation to be made to the county for the current fiscal year so that the

total amount allocated to the county for the current fiscal year equals the

total amount the county received in the fiscal year ending on June 30,

2001.

   3.  Of the money allocated to each county pursuant to the provisions of

subsections 1 and 2:

   (a) An amount equal to that part of the allocation which represents 1.25

cents of the tax per gallon must be used exclusively for the service and

redemption of revenue bonds issued pursuant to chapter 373 of NRS, for

the construction, maintenance and repair of county roads, and for the

purchase of equipment for that construction, maintenance and repair, under

the direction of the boards of county commissioners of the several counties,

and must not be used to defray expenses of administration; and

   (b) An amount equal to that part of the allocation which represents 2.35

cents of the tax per gallon must be allocated to the county, if there are no

incorporated cities in the county, or to the county and any incorporated

cities in the county, if there is at least one incorporated city in the county,

pursuant to the following formula:

     (1) One-fourth in proportion to total area.

     (2) One-fourth in proportion to population.

     (3) One-fourth in proportion to road mileage and street mileage of

nonfederal aid primary roads.

     (4) One-fourth in proportion to vehicle miles of travel on nonfederal

aid primary roads.

For the purpose of applying the formula, the area of the county excludes

the area included in any incorporated city.

   4.  The amount allocated to the counties and incorporated cities

pursuant to subsections 1, 2 and 3 must be remitted monthly. The state

controller shall draw his warrants payable to the county treasurer of each of

the several counties and the city treasurer of each of the several

incorporated cities, as applicable, and the state treasurer shall pay the

warrants out of the proceeds of the tax levied pursuant to NRS 365.180.


   5.  The formula computations must be made as of July 1 of each year

by the department, based on estimates which must be furnished by the

department of transportation and, if applicable, any adjustments to the

estimates determined to be appropriate by the committee pursuant to

subsection 9. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 9, the

determination made by the department is conclusive.

   6.  The department of transportation shall complete:

   (a) The estimates of the total mileage of improved roads or streets

maintained by each county and incorporated city on or before August 31 of

each year.

   (b) A physical audit of the information submitted by each county and

incorporated city pursuant to subsection 7 at least once every 10 years.

   7.  Each county and incorporated city shall, not later than March 1 of

each year, submit a list to the department of transportation setting forth:

   (a) Each improved road or street that is maintained by the county or

city; and

   (b) The beginning and ending points and the total mileage of each of

those improved roads or streets.

Each county and incorporated city shall, at least 10 days before the list is

submitted to the department of transportation, hold a public hearing to

identify and determine the improved roads and streets maintained by the

county or city.

   8.  If a county or incorporated city does not agree with the estimates

prepared by the department of transportation pursuant to subsection 6, the

county or incorporated city may request that the [subcommittee] committee

examine the estimates and recommend an adjustment to the estimates.

Such a request must be submitted to the [subcommittee] committee not

later than October 15.

   9.  [The subcommittee shall review any request it receives pursuant to

subsection 8 and report to the committee its findings and any

recommendations for an adjustment to the estimates it determines is

appropriate.] The committee shall hold a public hearing and review any

request it receives pursuant to subsection 8 and determine whether an

adjustment to the estimates is appropriate on or before December 31 of the

year it receives a request pursuant to subsection 8. Any determination made

by the committee pursuant to this subsection is conclusive.

   10.  The [subcommittee] committee shall monitor the fiscal impact of

the formula set forth in this section on counties and incorporated cities .

[and report regularly to the committee] Biennially, the committee shall

prepare a report concerning its findings and recommendations regarding

that fiscal impact[.] and submit the report on or before February 15 of

each odd-numbered year to the director of the legislative counsel bureau

for transmittal to the senate and assembly committees on taxation of the

Nevada legislature for their review.

   11.  As used in this section:

   (a) “Committee” means the [legislative committee for local government

taxes and finance established pursuant to NRS 218.53881.] committee on

local government finance created pursuant to NRS 266.0165.

   (b) “Construction, maintenance and repair” includes the acquisition,

operation or use of any material, equipment or facility that is used


exclusively for the construction, maintenance or repair of a county or city

road and is necessary for the safe and efficient use of that road, including,

without limitation:

     (1) Grades and regrades;

     (2) Graveling, oiling, surfacing, macadamizing and paving;

     (3) Sweeping, cleaning and sanding roads and removing snow from a

road;

     (4) Crosswalks and sidewalks;

     (5) Culverts, catch basins, drains, sewers and manholes;

     (6) Inlets and outlets;

     (7) Retaining walls, bridges, overpasses, underpasses, tunnels and

approaches;

     (8) Artificial lights and lighting equipment, parkways, control of

vegetation and sprinkling facilities;

     (9) Rights of way;

     (10) Grade and traffic separators;

     (11) Fences, cattle guards and other devices to control access to a

county or city road;

     (12) Signs and devices for the control of traffic; and

     (13) Facilities for personnel and the storage of equipment used to

construct, maintain or repair a county or city road.

   (c) “Improved road or street” means a road or street that is, at least:

     (1) Aligned and graded to allow reasonably convenient use by a

motor vehicle; and

     (2) Drained sufficiently by a longitudinal and transverse drainage

system to prevent serious impairment of the road or street by surface water.

   [(d) “Subcommittee” means the subcommittee appointed pursuant to

NRS 218.53884.]

   Sec. 3.  NRS 218.5388 is hereby amended to read as follows:

   218.5388  As used in NRS 218.5388 to 218.53886, inclusive,

“committee” means a legislative committee [to study the distribution

among local governments of revenue from state and local taxes.] for local

government taxes and finance.

   Sec. 4.  NRS 218.53881 is hereby amended to read as follows:

   218.53881  1.  There is hereby established a legislative committee [to

study the distribution among local governments of revenue from state and

local taxes] for local government taxes and finance consisting of:

   (a) Two members appointed by the majority leader of the senate from

the membership of the senate standing committee on government affairs

during the immediately preceding session of the legislature;

   (b) Two members appointed by the majority leader of the senate from

the membership of the senate standing committee on taxation during the

immediately preceding session of the legislature;

   (c) Two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly from the

membership of the assembly standing committee on government affairs

during the immediately preceding session of the legislature; and

   (d) Two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly from the

membership of the assembly standing committee on taxation during the

immediately preceding session of the legislature.


   2.  The committee shall consult with an advisory committee consisting

of the executive director of the department of taxation and 10 members

who are representative of various geographical areas of the state and are

appointed for terms of 2 years commencing on July 1 of each odd-

numbered year as follows:

   (a) One member of the committee on local government finance created

pursuant to NRS 266.0165 appointed by the Nevada League of Cities;

   (b) One member of the committee on local government finance created

pursuant to NRS 266.0165 appointed by the Nevada Association of

Counties;

   (c) One member of the committee on local government finance created

pursuant to NRS 266.0165 appointed by the Nevada School Trustees

Association;

   (d) Three members involved in the government of a county appointed

by the Nevada Association of Counties;

   (e) Three members involved in the government of an incorporated city

appointed by the Nevada League of Cities; and

   (f) One member who is a member of a board of trustees for a general

improvement district appointed by the legislative commission.

The members of the advisory committee are nonvoting members of the

committee. When meeting as the advisory committee, the members shall

comply with the provisions of chapter 241 of NRS.

   3.  The legislative members of the committee shall elect a chairman

from one house of the legislature and a vice chairman from the other house.

Each chairman and vice chairman holds office for a term of 2 years

commencing on July 1 of each odd-numbered year.

   4.  Any member of the committee who is not a candidate for reelection

or who is defeated for reelection continues to serve until the next session of

the legislature convenes.

   5.  Vacancies on the committee must be filled in the same manner as

original appointments.

   6.  The committee shall report annually to the legislative commission

concerning its activities and any recommendations.

   Sec. 5.  Section 9 of chapter 661, Statutes of Nevada 1997, at page

3309, is hereby amended to read as follows:

   Sec. 9.  This act becomes effective on July 1, 1997, and expires

by limitation on July 1, [2001.] 2005.

   Sec. 6.  1.  This section and sections 3, 4 and 5 of this act become

effective on July 1, 2001.

   2.  Section 1 of this act becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. on July 1,

2001.

   3.  Sections 1, 3, 4 and 5 of this act expire by limitation on

July 1, 2005.

   4.  Section 2 of this act becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. on

July 1, 2005.

 

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