Nevada Senate Bill SB346

Nevada 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/20/23
• Refer: 3/20/23
• Report Pass: 4/24/23
• Engrossed: 4/26/23
• Refer: 4/26/23
• Report Pass: 5/22/23
• Enrolled: 5/31/23
• Chaptered: 6/9/23
• Passed: 6/9/23

Caption

Revises provisions relating to motor vehicles. (BDR 43-458)

Impact

If enacted, SB346 will streamline processes related to motor vehicle registration by allowing for electronic submissions, which could reduce wait times and administrative burdens for both the Department and the public. The removal of requirements for pen and ink signatures and the authorization of electronic signatures facilitate a quicker and more accessible registration process. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for special license plates for electric vehicles and outlines specific fees associated with them, signifying a push towards advancing electric vehicle usage in the state.

Summary

Senate Bill No. 346, introduced by Senator Spearman, seeks to modernize regulations concerning motor vehicles in Nevada. The bill introduces provisions that authorize the Department of Motor Vehicles to conduct various acts and transactions through an electronic branch office, thereby facilitating easier transactions for vehicle registration and title processing. It also revises requirements for vehicle registration certificates, allowing for electronic signatures and stamps, as well as eliminating certain limitations on who may participate in an electronic submission program created by the Department.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding SB346 includes the regulations governing 'autocycles,' which are defined as three-wheeled vehicles designed with two front wheels and one rear wheel. The bill specifies that individuals operating an autocycle must possess a valid driver’s license but exempts drivers and passengers from the requirement to wear protective headgear. This provision raises concerns among safety advocates who argue that helmets should be mandatory irrespective of the type of vehicle being operated.

Voting_history

The bill has passed through the necessary legislative processes and was approved with a significant majority in the Assembly, receiving 42 votes in favor and none against on May 24, 2023.