New Legislation Affects Churchill County

Staff report -- This year was a busy one for the Nevada State Legislature which adjourned this week after a long on tenuous 80^th Session. With 587 Senate Bills and 592 Assembly Bills originally proposed last fall, no county in the state will be unaffected by the changes. According to a short report delivered by County Manager Jim Barbee during the County Commission meeting on June 6th, some legislation passed this week will have a direct impact on Churchill County in the very near future. Voting Legislation Changes: AB35 allows for same-day voter registration and voting. The law will permit residents to register and vote, even on Election Day with no waiting period. Even-year City Elections: All city elections in Nevada will now occur on even-numbered years during the statewide election cycle. The last odd-year elections will be held this year. Diesel Fuel Tax: The Senate approved SB48, allowing county commissioners to impose a diesel fuel tax in counties where over 10,000 gallons of diesel is purchased annually. Diesel fuel and variations thereof may be taxed up to $.05 per gallon and include regular diesel, bio-diesel, biomass-based diesel, biomass blended diesel fuels, and kerosene blended diesel. Previously, only Clark and Washoe Counties were authorized to impose the additional diesel and special fuel tax. Any diesel fuel that is exempt under the existing laws is will be exempt from any newly imposed county tax, which. includes dyed diesel fuels used for agriculture and those in accordance with state and federal laws. Local Sales Tax Hike: The Senate also approved SB309 during the last hours of session authorizing Nevada counties to impose an additional $.025 local sales tax with the express purpose of supplementing school funding. No information had been released from Churchill County as this bill passed on June 3rd. In addition to election and tax law changes, the State Legislature also passed several bills relating to education measures and school funding. School Safety Funding: With the intent of improving school safety and in Nevada legislators approved SB551 with a 13 to 8 vote in the Senate on June 3rd. Over the next two fiscal years, $16.75 million is being appropriated for School Safety upgrades statewide. Flexible Education Funding: Nearly $73 million in funds over the next two years will be moved from the State’s General Fund to the Account for Programs of Innovation and the Prevention of Remediation as outlined in SB551. The provisions for “supplemental support” under this bill are broad and most teachers in Nevada can expect a pay raise according to Governor Sisolak. CCSD is slated to receive nearly $523K from SB551 and $260K7 from AB309 over the biennium. Additionally, the state passed legislation that will upgrade the model used for the DSA, Distributive School Account, and its formula for per-pupil funding statewide. Stay Posted for more stories regarding new legislation.       Never miss the local news -- read more on The Fallon Post home page. If you enjoy The Fallon Post, please support our effort to provide local, independent news and make a contribution today.  Your contribution makes possible this online news source for all things Fallon.