Workers comp, malpractice bills passed

Here's a wrap-up of legislation so far that is of interest to businesses: Workers comp

* Senate Bill 8, already signed by the governor, more than doubles the penalties for an employer whose conduct leads to the death of an employee.

* Assembly Bill 438, signed by the governor, bumps up the compensation for permanent total disability.

The increases will result in about a 5 percent rise in all workers comp insurance rates, according to the state's leading carrier.

Work cards

* SB 432, in conference committee as of last week, changes the procedure for obtaining gaming work cards, offloading work now done by the counties to the state, the workers and the casinos.

Medical malpractice

* SB 122, passed and signed by the governor, requires the insurance division to limit insurance rate increases if a carrier is doing so to cover losses from investments.

* SB 250 last week was passed by Senate Finance committee and sent to the Senate at press time.

A provision to provide a subsidy fund for doctors was removed.

* SB 97, the tort reform bill, at press time, was back in the Assembly because the Senate did not agree with its amendment.

The amendment calls for a second voter initiative based on the existing AB1.

* AB 320, passed and sent to the governor, helps doctors hold onto insurance longer in case a provider pulls out of the market.

Renewable energy

* AB 296 has been signed by the governor.

It provides a multiplier for calculating compliance with portfolio standard for renewable energy.

* AB 429, on the governor's desk, makes various changes relating to net metering.

* AB 431, sent to the governor, provides incentives for installing some solar energy systems.

Water

* A bill to create a commission to oversee western Nevada water issues died early in the session while another bill to form a legislative committee to monitor the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Colorado River Commission of Nevada was languishing in committee last week.

* SB 487, which would have allowed small counties to enter into profit sharing arrangements with private companies to develop and deliver water, died.

Miscellaneous taxes

* The Streamlined Sales and Use Tax, outlined in AB 514, has been sent to the governor.

It lets Nevada take part in a national effort to simplify the sales tax structure.

* SB 370, in conference committee, would let smaller counties raise the real estate transfer tax for use in invasive species control.