Committee backs plan for Nevada highway bonds

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) -- The Senate Finance Committee has endorsed Gov. Kenny Guinn's plan to sell $325 million in bonds to speed up construction on major highway projects, including three in southern Nevada to relieve traffic congestion.

The committee agreed Monday to the sale of the bonds that will partially fund the U.S. 95 widening project in Las Vegas, the Interstate 15 widening project from the state line to Las Vegas and the Interstate 215-515 Interchange in Henderson.

Hoping to reduce the long lines for driver's licenses and registration, the committee also voted to provide 129 new employees for the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

The majority of the employees will be added to the four major offices in southern Nevada.

Guinn had recommended 179 new employees, but budget subcommittees trimmed that number.

In other action the committee voted to draft a bill to impose an extra $1 on motorists when they get their annual smog checks in Clark and Washoe counties. That will produce about $1.2 million extra each year of the coming biennium.