Pending legislation in NV about parking

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Ned

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Escapees E-News Release

Nevada Senate Bill Restricts RV Parking

4/4/05

 

A bill (SB-412) has been introduced into the Nevada Senate to stop overnight RV parking on any public parking lot in the state. You can view the bill text and status at www.leg.state.nv.us/73rd/Reports/history.cfm?ID=2278.

This bill was introduced in the committee on government affairs and, if passed, would prohibit RV parking on any type of public parking lot anywhere in the state. Here is some of the text of the bill:

 

?Each board of county commissioners shall, by ordinance, prohibit an attended vehicle, recreational vehicle, motor home or travel trailer from parking overnight in a parking facility which is dedicated or intended for commercial use or for use by patrons of a shop, store or other business.

 

?Parking facility? means a parking deck, parking garage, parking structure or paved or unpaved parking lot that members of the public regularly enter, are reasonably likely to enter, or are invited or permitted to enter as invitees or licensees. The term does not include a recreational vehicle park as defined in NRS 108.2678.?

 

Due to the way this is worded, it is likely that these restrictions will apply to any publicly accessible parking lot. This could include casinos, truck stops, and even dirt or gravel boondock parking areas throughout the state.

 

This is not the first time that RVers have been faced with such a challenge on a state level. Several years ago, similar legislation was introduced in the State of Montana. Due to the protests from RVers all over the country, that attempt to regulate RV parking failed. It appears that we now face a similar challenge in Nevada. If this legislation passes, it may well set a precedent for the rest of the country, and we could see our freedom to choose where we park permanently revoked! All RVers and concerned individuals need to take immediate steps to contact the members of the Senate Government Affairs Committee as soon as possible and voice their opinions. Great haste is needed as the bill (SB-412) will be up for testimony in committee on April 6, 2005. Please make use of the contact list included below and write, call, or email right away!

 

Please remember that a calm, logical approach will make your letter or email much more likely to be read and considered. Here are a couple of sample paragraphs to aid you in writing your letter or email.

 

While RV parks are the best accommodations for RVers, sometimes commercial parks are full, or perhaps the RVer simply cannot find a local park, especially if it is late in the evening.  Other issues come into play as well.  For instance, how tired is the RV driver? Were it not for Wal-Mart and other similar locations that offer a resting place to RVers, you would see an increased accident rate.  Far too often, RVers will drive too long, too late, or continue searching for an RV park way past their safety and comfort zone. Knowing that they are welcome to pull into a parking lot and get a few hours of rest anytime of the day or night is an enormous safety net for the traveler.

 

Typically, RVers make significant contributions financially to places that welcome them and, many times, will return to an area for an extended stay if they have been received in a friendly manner. Unfortunately, signs banning RVs from parking areas do not appear very friendly to the tired traveler who is just looking for a spot to rest. Please do not implement legislation that will send the RVing public away from your state, but rather welcome them with open arms and show them you care about their safety and respect their lifestyle.

 

Please take a moment to contact these Nevada legislators and let them know how you feel!

 

WARREN B. HARDY II
Chairman, Government Affairs Committee

6536 Blue Sapphire Court
Las Vegas, NV 89110-4049

702-227-0536

[email protected]

 

SANDRA J. TIFFANY

Vice-Chairman, Government Affairs Committee

61 Tanglewood Drive

Henderson, NV 89012-2117

702-451-7301

[email protected]

 

WILLIAM J. RAGGIO

P.O. Box 281

Reno, NV 89504-0281

775-786-5000
[email protected]

 

RANDOLPH J. TOWNSEND

P.O. Box 20923

Reno, NV 89515-0923

775-954-2020
[email protected]

 

ALICE COSTANDINA (DINA) TITUS

1637 Travois Circle

Las Vegas, NV 89119-6283

702-895-3756
[email protected]

 

TERRY JOHN CARE

4371 Woodcrest Road

Las Vegas, NV 89121-4946

702-388-0098
[email protected]

 

JOHN JAY LEE

1340 Borderwood Lane

North Las Vegas, NV 89031-1816

702-647-3550
[email protected]

 
 
Ned said:
?Each board of county commissioners shall, by ordinance, prohibit an attended vehicle, recreational vehicle, motor home or travel trailer from parking overnight in a parking facility which is dedicated or intended for commercial use or for use by patrons of a shop, store or other business.

The campgrounds are really going to be full because they'll be full of truckers who can no longer sleep at truck stops. A truck with a driver in it is an attended vehicle. If they exempt truckers then they are discriminating against RVers.

 
Alaskansnowbirds said:
The campgrounds are really going to be full because they'll be full of truckers who can no longer sleep at truck stops. A truck with a driver in it is an attended vehicle.

That was the first thought I had too, what are the truckers going to do.  And what about the truck stops, do you think they'll stand for this?  I think the Escapees will have LOTS of support on this one.
 
My email will go out soon.


?Each board of county commissioners shall, by ordinance, prohibit an attended vehicle, recreational vehicle, motor home or travel trailer from parking overnight in a parking facility which is dedicated or intended for commercial use or for use by patrons of a shop, store or other business.

Part of the bill, also quoted below in part, specifically states
"... primarily designed as temporary living quarters for travel, recreational or camping use, ..."

Have they forgotten about full-timers?

NRS 482.101? ?Recreational vehicle? defined.? ?Recreational vehicle? means a vehicular-type unit primarily designed as temporary living quarters for travel, recreational or camping use, which may be self-propelled, mounted upon, or drawn by, a motor vehicle. The term includes a recreational park trailer.

NRS 482.071? ?Motor home? defined.? ?Motor home? means a structure:

? ? ? 1.? Attached permanently to a self-propelled motor vehicle chassis;

? ? ? 2.? Designed as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational or camping use; and

? ? ? 3.? When assembled for the road, has a maximum body width of 102 inches.

? ? ? (Added to NRS by 1973, 229; A 2001, 1725)

Seems to me that their "Fiscal Notes" quoted below, couldn't be more wrong. I, among many others, spend a considerable amount at these facilities and that would or could have a significant fiscal impact on local and state levels.

Fiscal Notes?
Effect on Local Government: No.
Effect on State: No.?

Also, does this mean that "Rest Areas" are now going to be off-limits, as they clearly fall into the category.???



 
The whole bill is poorly thought out, as were similar ones in the past.  I expect the huge volumn of mail and email in opposition will kill this one just as it has previous attempts by states to legislate things they don't understand.

I believe rest areas would not be covered as they are not "dedicated or intended for commercial use or for use by patrons of a shop, store or other business".  Unless you categorize the vending machines as a business, which they really are.
 
Yeah Ned,
You're prpbably right about the rest areas, but I threw them in anyway - may give them pause. Here's what I sent to them all:

Dear Mr. Hardy,

As a full-time RV'er living in a motor home, I am gravely concerned about this pending legislation; not only for myself and others like me, but for its' effect on the local communities and the State of Nevada.

A ban on overnight parking, as stated, would have many negative effects; only a few of which are stated here:

1. We, as RV'ers, spend considerable amounts of money at local establishments - partly out of necessity, and partly as a "Thank You" for allowing us to stay overnight. This amounts to substantial revenue to them and I can't believe they would like to lose it.

2. RV'ers, as well as truck drivers and other travelers, often need a place to get some much needed sleep to remain safe drivers; not just for their own good, but for the good of the general population. Denying this would be tantamount to making your roads unnecessarily dangerous.

3. If this bill where implemented as worded, rest areas along the highways would fall into that same category and be rendered nearly useless. This bill could also easily be interpreted to include commercial truck/auto/rv stops like Flying J, Love's, and others.

4. Contrary to what may have been said that prompted introduction of this bill, RV'ers for the most part, choose to spend days, weeks, or even months at RV parks, state parks and other commercial campgrounds as opposed to the occasional 'freebie' at places like Wal-Mart, rest areas, and public lands. The assertion that this is reducing 'their' revenue is just not true. Typically, during the travel/vacation season, good RV parks will be full to capacity, and have been booked many months in advance. Those that are not are usually poorly maintained, don't provide adequate facilities, or charge way too much for what is offered.

5. RV'ers in general, have learned to respect the property of others, the flora and fauna, and other things beautiful in your great state, and make a concerted effort to leave things not just as they are, but better! It is not unusual to see them picking up after others as well as making sure they 'leave nothing but footprints'.

6. RV'ing is not just a passing fad; it is a way of life for many. As such, we are a close-knit community, and have several large organizations - Escapees, Good Sam, Family Motor Coach Association among others; devoted to the exchange of tips and ideas, experiences (both good and bad), and recommendations as to where to travel and where not to. I believe it would be both morally and fiscally irresponsible to make Nevada an 'un-friendly' state for travelers of all kinds, and that kind of word travels very fast indeed.

If individual establishments choose to disallow overnight parking, so be it. They may have valid reasons, but to make it a compulsory law just doesn't make sense and will have a detrimental effect both in the short and long term.

I strongly urge you to make your legislators aware of these points, and vote AGAINST this bill.

Respectfully,

Karl Kolbus 
 
Nice, well thought out letter.  I think I'll copy it.
 
Somewhat surprisengly, I got a response from  William J. Raggio, one of the Nevada senators. It appears that they (or at least him) do read our emails. Although it may be a boilerplate response, I include it here:

Dear Mr. Kolbus:



Thank you for your e-mail voicing your opposition to Senate Bill 412.  As you know, that bill would require cities and counties to adopt ordinances prohibiting overnight parking of occupied travel trailers or recreational vehicles in parking facilities or parking lots.



Senate Bill 412 will be heard by the Senate Committee on Government Affairs on April 6, 2005, at 2 p.m. in Room 2149 of the Legislative building.  You can attend the meeting to share your viewpoint or you can listen to the hearing at www.leg.state.nv.us. 



Your comments are important to me and I will keep them in mind as the bill is considered.  I appreciate you taking the time to write to me on this issue.



                                                              Sincerely,

                                                         

                                                              William J. Raggio

                                                              Senate Majority Leader

 
Hi folks,
Keep sending out those emails!!  Just received some good news from the Nevada State Senate Committee Chair which I will share here:

Thank you for contacting me regarding Senate Bill 412 which restricts overnight parking in certain locations.? I have scheduled a hearing on the bill and will listen carefully to all of the testimony.? Having said that however, I have serious concerns about the concept from a couple of perspectives.? First, I am not sure it is good public policy.? More importantly I do not believe that this issue properly belongs in the State Legislature's jurisdiction.

I philosophically believe that these kinds of public policy decisions more appropriately reside at the local level.? Therefore, unless some compelling public policy reason surfaces at the hearing that overcomes these concerns, I do not plan to support this legislation.

Thank you? for contacting me with your concerns.


Regards,

Warren B. Hardy II
Nevada State Senator
District 12


 
I too got that boiler plate response but at least it is an encouraging response  ;D.
 

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