Lawmakers advance ORV, other bills

Nevada lawmakers kept up a busy pace in voting Thursday on bills, including an off-road-vehicle registration plan, that would otherwise die because of an end-of-the-week deadline for action on the measures.

The ORV bill, approved on a 34-6 Assembly vote, requires owners of ORVs to register their rigs with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. SB394 now returns to the Senate for review of Assembly amendments.

While the measure has widespread support from numerous groups, Gov. Jim Gibbons plans to veto it. Jodi Stephens, his legislative director, said the plan includes new registration fees, and the governor won't support such fees.

Backers of the bill include the Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Association, the Motorcycle Racing Association of Nevada, Nevada Cattleman's Association, the Nevada Farm Bureau, Nevada Conservation League and Nevada Association of Counties. Representatives from many of those groups were part of the OHV Working Group that brought the bill forward.

SB394 would mandate that ORVs, such as all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, dune buggies and all-terrain motorcycles, be registered at an annual cost of $20 to $30. A titling fee would run about $28.

Nearly $7 million could be generated over the next two years from the registration, titling and other fees for about 227,000 off-highway vehicles in Nevada, according to DMV figures.

"If we don't get a handle on this situation, I think the feds will step in and we won't be able to use our public lands," said Assemblyman John Carpenter, R-Elko.

The Assembly also passed SB94, one of the products of a California-Nevada fire commission's efforts over a 10-month period following the June 2007 Angora Fire. The measure includes wording that says Nevada shall adopt rules that are similar to California laws dealing with ways to control fire hazards in wildland and adjacent areas.

Also passed by the Assembly, on a 23-18 vote, was AB82, a proposal from the secretary of state's office that makes numerous changes in Nevada election laws.

Changes in the measure include an increase in penalties, from gross misdemeanors to felonies, for offenses such as intimidating voters and interfering in the conduct of an election.

The bill also prohibits county clerks from knowingly appointing field registrars who have felony records for theft, fraud or dishonesty.