Lawmakers make deadline push, move raft of bills

Nevada lawmakers made a massive push to vote on legislation and beat a Tuesday deadline to get bills out of their house of origin or watch them die by default.

The Assembly tore through dozens of bills, including AB81, a campaign reform bill proposed by Secretary of State Ross Miller. The measure requires candidates to file campaign disclosure reports electronically; moves reporting deadlines to before the start of early voting; and restricts the use of political action committees to skirt campaign contribution limits. Miller's office is investigating former gubernatorial candidate Rory Reid for his use of dozens of shell PACS that were formed to funnel money into his failed campaign.

Another bill, AB452, expands from one year to two a cooling off period before former legislators or public officials can lobby.

School districts could cut the academic year from the mandated 180 days to 170 days under AB117. The bill requires schools show the reduction will help avoid layoffs, and requires a buy-in from collective bargaining groups before the change could go into effect.

AB282 streamlines rules and fees on concealed weapons permits. Republicans said it makes the permits "more accessible and more affordable." The bill also specifies that records related to CCW applications are confidential, and prohibits state parks from imposing concealed weapons rules that are stricter than state laws.

AB508 requires people to register their mopeds with the Department of Motor Vehicles for a fee of $33, and wear a helmet while riding the vehicle. Ironically, the Senate Transportation Committee passed a bill, SB177, to repeal helmet laws for adult motorcycle riders. It was up for a floor vote Tuesday but re-referred to the Senate Finance Committee, where it awaits an uncertain fate.

The Senate on Tuesday voted on more than 60 bills, wrapping up by 8:30 p.m. after several lengthy floor sessions throughout the day. Among the bills that made it under the wire: SB140, which would make it illegal to text while driving. The bill came up for discussion Monday, but got mired in its secondary component dealing with whether or not all or some GPS devices would also come under the ban. Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, R- Reno, said the bill was murky and he had to vote no. It passed 26-12.

Senators approved SB42, which allows police to demand breathalyzer tests in fatal accidents as well as music therapy bill SB190. Sen. Mo Denis, D-Las Vegas, urged peers to approve SB190, which would establish licensing standards for music therapists.

A measure to allow write-in candidates for state and federal offices flamed out. Sen. Joe Hardy, R-Boulder City, said he proposed SB269 after last year's Alaska Senate race, when incumbent U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski lost the GOP primary and mounted an unprecedented write-in campaign to win re-election in November.

It died on a vote of 1-20, with Hardy casting the lone vote of support. He took a photograph of the electronic tally board to capture the definitive defeat.

Senators, on a vote of 19-2, passed SB214 supporting a public-private partnership to build the Boulder City bypass.

In the Assembly, AB376 requires cities to provide annual financial reports about tourism improvement districts, in which cities or counties borrow against future sales tax revenue to fund a development to attract tourists. The bill addresses concerns over STAR bonds, which have been used to develop shopping centers around sporting goods mega-stores in Reno and Sparks. Some have questioned whether the projects are truly attracting tourists, and whether the state is getting a good return on its investment.

AB474 authorizes a Sunset Subcommittee to decide whether certain state boards and agencies should be dissolved or consolidated.

AB452 increases the cooling-off period for former members of certain state commissions to serve as lobbyists and sets new rules for campaign finance reporting.

The Assembly also backed a bill creating the crime of "stolen valor" when a person impersonates a veteran or fakes military honors or insignia to gain something of value. AB379, approved unanimously, carries a misdemeanor charge for fraud that results in a loss less than $2,500, and a low-level felony charge for fraud resulting in higher losses.

A bill to cap the amount of collection fees agencies can charges to collect past-due homeowner's association died. Assembly Speaker John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas, said agreement on two competing amendments to AB394 could not be reached, so he didn't call for a vote.

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Associated Press writer Michelle Rindels contributed to this report.