Tuesday, May 27, 2003 | 9:55 a.m.
Starting date set in DUI measure
The Assembly agreed Monday to amend a DUI bill lowering the state's legal alcohol limit for drivers based on looming financial penalties for doing nothing.
Assembly Bill 7 was amended to take effect Sept. 23, 2003 -- just one week before the federal deadline for states to meet the new 0.08 blood alcohol rules or face losing $34 million in highway funding.
Several no votes still boomed on the simple voice vote to amend the bill. The amendment also states that the 0.08 law would automatically be repealed if the federal law changes or expires.
Senate OKs hikes in fishing licenses
A bill that would increase fees for fishing and hunting licenses was approved by the Senate Friday by a vote of 19-2 and has been transferred to the Assembly.
The extra money, about $2 million over the next two years, will benefit the state Wildlife Division.
The bill will increase the cost of a resident fishing license from $20 to $25 and a hunting license from $23 to $29. There will also be a new $3 fee for habitat conservation.
Committee passes broadband bill
After months of hearings and frustrated exchanges between telecommunications companies, a measure allowing for some state oversight of emerging broadband services cleared a key Assembly panel Monday.
Senate Bill 400, a bill sought by Sprint and SBC Nevada, was amended by the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee to allow the state Public Utilities Commission to have oversight over requested rate increases for the high-speed technological services.
SB400 was to be considered by the full Assembly today, where it is expected to win approval. The measure must then go back to the Senate for a look at the amendment before going to the governor for consideration.
Legislative pay bill passes panel
The Senate Finance Committee Saturday unanimously approved a proposed constitutional amendment to allow legislators to be paid for the full 120 days of the session.
At present, lawmakers earn $130 per day for the first 60 days of a session. Senate Joint Resolution 11 would give the lawmakers pay for each day of service for the entire session.
Senate Joint Resolution 11 would have to be passed by two sessions of the Legislature and then ratified by the voters in 2006.
Court-fees increase approved
The Senate on Saturday approved a bill to increase certain fees in filing civil lawsuits, with the money going to support technology in the courts and to help the poor and elderly with their legal problems.
Senate Bill 106 provides for a new $30 fee for each new plaintiff or defendant named after the first suit was filed. There will also be a $50 fee for a person to ask the Nevada Supreme Court to reconsider its original decision.
The bill goes to the Assembly.
Terrorism measure passes Senate
By a 19-2 vote, the Senate has passed the bill making terrorism a crime punishable by death if somebody is killed in an attack.
Assembly Bill 250, which returns to the Assembly for agreement on an amendment, defines terrorism as an act that involves the use or attempted use of sabotage, coercion or violence intended to injure or kill people or cause substantial destruction or contamination of buildings, communication systems, transportation, utilities or natural resources.
Voting against the bill Friday were Sens. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, and Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas.
Neal said the bill appears to include gang activity as an act of terrorism. He said a gang member could be classified as a terrorist. But Sens. Terry Care, D-Las Vegas, and Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, said there is no reference in the bill to have the crime of terrorism cover gang fights or violence.
Coffin said a person could be charged with a terrorism offense if he or she sent money to a peace group that ended up using the funds for terrorist activities. He said a person would have to go to great expense to show he was not involved in a terrorist conspiracy.
Senate defeats bill on felons' rights
Ex-felons will still have to approach the state Pardons Board to get their civil rights restored.
A bill to make it easier for certain ex-convicts to have their rights restored was defeated in the Senate 7-14 Friday without debate.
Assembly Bill 337 would have restored convicts' right to vote, hold office and serve on juries after a set period of years if they successfully completed parole or probation.
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