Court legislation would take money for state

"It's not our intent to financially bankrupt the judicial system in the state," Judiciary Chairman Bernie Anderson said at the end of the hearing on AB19.

Anderson, D-Sparks, added that there's no plan for a work session on the bill in the near future, adding, "It's going to be delayed - if it comes out at all."

The chairman's comment followed harsh criticism of the measure from county representatives who said it could cost them much of the money it takes to run their justice courts.

"The justice courts of Elko County will come to a halt," Elko County Commission Chairman Tony Lesperance said in describing the impact of AB19.

Similar comments were made by representatives of Mineral, Lincoln and Humboldt counties, and by Bob Hadfield, head of the Nevada Association of Counties.

Assemblyman Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, joined in the criticism, adding that a long-term replacement funding for the small counties is needed before the bill can be approved.

"To do this in the short term would kill these counties and bring the court system to its knees," he said. There are a total of 65 justice courts in Nevada.

The proposal would order counties to treat all money paid by people who choose not to fight traffic tickets as fines instead of bail forfeitures.

While that sounds like a technical change, the difference is important. On tickets issued by the Nevada Highway Patrol, the state gets all fines. But the county court keeps bail forfeitures.

Anderson had headed a study committee that said the money belongs to the state because it's really a fine. The fines go to help support public schools and the change would bring in up to $5 million a year more for the state.

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