Latest news with #AB194
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NV Energy cites outages, dangerous line work as bill outlawing balloon releases progresses
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — When the power went out on Sunday, March 2, for more than 10,000 customers in downtown Las Vegas, the lights were out for a little over an hour. The culprit? A balloon, according to an NV Energy official who spoke at the Nevada Legislature Monday. 'Just in the past five years alone, balloon-related incidents have caused over 400 outages impacting hundreds of thousands of customers,' Anthony Ruiz, NV Energy's government relations manager, told lawmakers during a hearing on Assembly Bill 194 (AB194). Those outages affected about 600,000 people, he said. Ruiz said there are also problems associated with regular balloons, often overshadowed by risks from Mylar balloons. He said regular balloons can melt into the power lines, requiring dangerous cleanup by a line worker. A ban on balloon releases aims at what Democratic Assem. Sandra Jauregui described as a safety hazard with a wide impact. 'When released, balloons frequently end up as litter in waterways or natural habitats where they harm wildlife and contribute to microplastic pollution. Mylar balloons, in particular, are nonbiodegradable and can cause power outages or fires when they come into contact with power lines,' Jauregui said. Even with all the publicity about Mylar balloons, a lot of people are unaware of the risks of power lines arcing when foil balloons come into contact. Republican State Sen. Lisa Krasner asked, 'If a child on their birthday intentionally releases one balloon to watch it fly up into the air, are they now in violation of this law?' Jauregui said that's not the intent of the legislation, which has been approved in the Assembly and was receiving a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. 'The goal of the bill isn't to like find people and fine them. It's more about prevention,' Jauregui said. 'It's about getting the education out there.' AB194 contains exemptions for hot-air balloons, weather balloons and other scientific research balloons, and indoor balloon releases. The bill builds on AB321, which was signed into law in 2023. That law phases in restrictions on foil balloons beginning in 2027 and takes full effect in 2030. AB321 carries fines of $50 per balloon, with a maximum $2,500 fine. This year's ban on balloon releases carries a $250 fine. But that's not really what lawmakers are focused on, Jauregui said. 'Ultimately, we don't enforce the laws. It would be up to the local law enforcement agency,' she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nevada Legislature hits 2nd deadline, but less drama expected this time
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The second major deadline arrives today for the Nevada Legislature, but it's unlikely to produce the kind of shockwaves that followed the first deadline. 'Reba's Law,' which would toughen the penalties in animal abuse crimes, caused an uproar when it didn't get a committee vote at the April 11 deadline. Since then, lawmakers have given it an exemption, and it is safe at the April 22 deadline. The law is named for an English bulldog that died after it was sealed inside a plastic tub and left outside next to a dumpster on a July 2024 day that reached 110 degrees. No such drama is expected today as the Nevada Legislature hits the deadline for bills to pass a vote. Unless they are exempt, bills that originated in the Assembly must pass a vote of the full Assembly; bills that originated in the Senate must pass a vote of the full Senate. Exemptions are generally given to bills that make an appropriation. Those bills require work by the finance committees, and extra time is provided for that process. The April 11 deadline killed more than 280 bills, but only a handful of bills are in danger this time. Some of those bills could get last-minute action as the floor sessions in the Assembly and Senate plod along in Carson City. And that might require lawmakers to revive legislation that has been set aside. Agendas could changing rapidly right to the end of today's actions. PET STORES: AB487 would stop retail stores from selling dogs and cats. Advocates say the ban will help stop animal abuse, consumer fraud and practices that put animals' health in danger. With shelters overflowing with dogs and cats, advocates are trying to combat puppy mills from flourishing. The bill passed 32-9 on Monday, advancing to the Senate. It was sponsored by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. BALLOON BAN: AB194 takes a dim view of the tradition of balloon releases at outdoor birthday parties and other celebrations. The bill would outlaw releasing balloons filled with helium or other lighter-than-air gases. It passed 26-15 on Monday, advancing to the Senate. The bill was sponsored by Democratic Assem. Sandra Jauregui. SHIELDING DOCTORS: SB171 would prevent protect medical professionals from having their license stripped or other punitive actions for providing or assisting in medically necessary gender-affirming health care services. Professionals who are licensed in multiple states wouldn't be penalized in Nevada if another state acted to discipline them. The bill passed on a 13-8 vote on Tuesday, advancing to the Assembly. Democratic Sen. James Ohrenschall sponsored the bill. AI-MODIFIED IMAGES: AB73 would require campaign materials to disclose if photos or video are modified by artificial intelligence. The bill is aimed at 'deep fakes' and other uses of AI images that misrepresent facts and erode trust in elections. The bill has passed out of the Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections Committee, but has not received a vote yet in the full Assembly. GUN OWNERSHIP: AB 245 would ban anyone under the age of 21 from owning a semi-automatic shotgun or center-fire rifle. A violation would be punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. The bill also criminalizes letting someone under 21 handle those types of weapons. The bill passed in the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Monday. Democratic Assem. Sandra Jauregui sponsored the bill. Similar legislation was vetoed by Gov. Joe Lombardo in 2023. 'INTIMATE IMAGES': SB213 would add AI-modified or AI-created photos/videos to materials addressed in existing law about unlawfully distributing intimate images. It would be a category D felony to blackmail someone with these types of images — the same as if they were real images. The bill hasn't received action since it was passed in committee on April 17 and placed on General File the next day. Republican Sen. Jeff Stone sponsored the bill. STREET VENDORS: SB295 requires the health district to come up with pre-approved carts that people can buy to get licensed. It's a solution that lawmakers believe is needed after only six vendors in the Las Vegas valley actually went through the process to get a license since the legislation was originally passed in 2023. Many vendors say the requirements are too expensive. The bill passed in the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services on Monday, but needs a vote of the full Senate to advance. Democratic Sen. Fabian Doñate is the bill's sponsor. CONFISCATING GUNS: SB347 rewrites provisions in the law that allow police to confiscate guns from people placed on a 'Legal 2000' mental health hold. Police approached lawmakers with concerns that the existing law seemed to clash with Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure. The bill, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Melanie Scheible, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee, but needs a vote from the full Senate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
