Legislature passes other bills in the shadow of the budget

By Cy Ryan (contact) Saturday 4 June 2011 | clock 1: 55 Mike McGinness Elizabeth Halseth

CARSON CITY — the focus of 2011 legislature has been on the money, or lack of it.

Other issues, but makes the news: the use of mobile phones while driving, smoking taverns, homeowner associations and protecting transgender persons.

State plans to reduce the interest it pays companies for overcollection or illegal collection of taxes from 6% to 3%. But the interest of the State on late payments will be reduced from 1% to 0,75%.

In his last days put the final touches on the legislature many bills that would affect the average Nevadans. But some would not survive before lawmakers break Monday.

"They will not be able to run with their mobile phones," said Senate Minority Leader Mike McGinness, R Fallon. "That hits home most."

The elder Elizabeth Halseth, R-Las Vegas agreed that the public protect their mobile phones but cares less about teacher tenure or taxes.

The Bill prohibits drivers from texting or talking while holding a mobile phone. It is in force in January, when the said offence will be a misdemeanor. Meanwhile, law enforcement officers can issue warnings.

Not resolved, the debate over change on smoking law so food can be served in restaurants where smoking is allowed.

Legislation was enacted to prohibit discrimination against transgender persons in housing, employment and public accommodations. -This is very important to a certain part of our society, "said Sen. Dave Parker, D-Las Vegas. He estimated that as many as 25,000 transgender population in Nevada, United States.

Parker shared an e-mail from Las Vegas resident who said the legislation will help people live a normal life.

Legislation was also adopted that gambling on hotel rooms. Lee Amaitis, President of Cantor Gaming in Las Vegas, said studies have shown no 1 location where customers want mobile gaming devices are in their rooms.

"Given the current world on-demand technology, this was not a surprise," he said.

Members of homeowner associations obtained additional rights, such as permission to inspect the Association books provided by the Board of Directors meetings.

A battle continues over whether interest should be limited to homeowners as late fees.

Lawmakers are working on a Bill to restore habitats like wild animals. Charges of $ 3 on hunting, trapping and fishing licenses would increase to $ 5 for residents and $ 10 for nonresidents. Gov. Brian Sandoval is against increasing fees.

Budgetary decisions will eventually trickle down to the classroom, which increases their number of students. In Clark County, there will be fewer specialists including intermediaries in special education, Swedish as a second language, computer strategy and literary courses.

Joyce Haldeman, associate superintendent of the Clark County School District said specialities can be reduced 25 percent, and foreign language courses can be eliminated in some schools.

Session 2011 BOMs can also affect the future.

One measure would permit fees charged for new privately financed roads. The Bill seeks to allow private funding to be collected to build a bypass around Boulder City that supporters say could result in 14,000 jobs.