Nevada Broadcasters Winning Support on Precedent-Setting Public Notices Legislation

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The Nevada Broadcasters Association testified yesterday in the Committee on Government Affairs, on behalf of Nevada Broadcasters’ effort to pass legislation regarding Public and Legal Notices. Current Nevada law says public and legal notices must be posted in a “newspaper of general circulation”. SB 218 would provide the option of choosing a website administered by the Nevada Broadcasters Association. This legislation broadens the marketplace in what has historically been a statutorily- supported monopoly, and would ultimately save government agencies and taxpayers, millions of dollars.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron D. Ford is carrying SB 218

First, I want you all to know and appreciate the commitment and support given by Senator Aaron Ford, to SB 218. He has been a champion of this important legislation and deserves many thanks for his support.

The hearing was covered by KTVN Ch. 2, KRNV Ch. 4, KRXI Ch. 11 and KOLO, Ch. 8.  Thank you Lawson Fox, Amie Chapman and Matt Eldredge.  
 
The testimony lead off with Senator Ford making the introduction, followed by NVBA Washington, D.C./Carson City representative, the Hon. Congressman Jon Porter.  
 
You should also know that so much of our success this session has been due to our incredibly effective partnership with Jon Porter himself along with his team at the Porter Group, especially Mitch Fox.  
 
 
The primary presentation included a video demonstrating the functionality of the Public Notices website, a Power Point making the argument, and a video illustrating the vast and varied services Nevada’s Broadcasters provide to the communities we serve. This excellent video was created by NVBA Chair/KVVU FOX 5 GM Todd Brown and his staff. Big thank you to Todd and crew.

Several key entities testified in support of SB 218 on behalf of the NVBA’s legislation, including the Nevada Association of Counties (NACO), the Cities of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Fernley, the Reno Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority CEO, Phil DeLone and several others. Todd Brown gave articulate and compelling testimony about additional services Nevada’s broadcasters provide and why this legislators should pass SB 218.

 
 
The only testimony in opposition was from Barry Smith of the Nevada Press Association and a small newspaper owner by the name of Scott Sibley.

Their testimony consisted of some arguments opposing SB 218 but Senate Majority Leader Ford and I had a rebuttal for every issue raised in opposition.

Overall the day was a big success and we are optimistic that SB 218 will pass out of the Senate. The next step is a work session and a vote by the Committee on Government Affairs, expected to be scheduled for next week.

If approved by this committee, SB 218 then goes to the Nevada Assembly.

In addition to the exceptional work of The Porter Group, you should know that this is, and will continue to be, a team effort with much assistance from your team at the NVBA. Eric Bonnici, Melanie Mueller and Adam Sandler have played a key role, along with Richard Gacovino, NVBA partner at Gacovino & More, who shoots videos for us and assists in substantially growing the NVBA’s social media presence.

We are pleased with the results to date regarding this effort.

Please direct any questions to NVBA Chair Todd Brown, or NVBA President, Mary Beth Sewald.

 
Pictured: Todd Brown, Mary Beth Sewald, Mitch Fox
 
To view the KTVN 2 story, click HERE.
To view the MyNews 4 story, click HERE.
To view the KOLO 8 News Now story, click HERE.