Summary of Bills in Matrix

Housing/Human Dignity (Wages)/Homelessness Issues

As of June 8, 2009

Listed below is the general topic of each bill in this category that RAIN is currently following. A discussion and/or explanation of RAIN's position on each bill is shown in blue.

• AB 139 (3) (BDR 225)
  Requires Division of Housing to compile, analyze, and report information concerning low-income housing and housing suitable for use by persons with disabilities.  Passed.
   
• AB 144 (2) (BDR 89)
  various provisions relating to loans secured by liens on real property and toughening requirements for mortgage brokers.  Passed.
   
• AB 149 (2) (BDR 824)
  This bill establishes additional restrictions on the trustee’s power of sale with respect to owner-occupied housing by providing a homeowner with the right to request mediation under which he may receive a loan modification. Once a homeowner requests mediation, no further action may be taken to exercise the power of sale until the completion of the mediation.  Passed.
   
• AB 361 (3) (BDR 940)
  Makes changes relating to common-interest communities. (BDR 10-940).  Recommendation:  (3) Passed. 
   
• AB 467 (3) (BDR 910)
  Makes various changes relating to the prevailing wage requirements. Under existing law, the Nevada Supreme Court has held that even where a statute states specifically that the prevailing wage must be paid pursuant to NRS 338.010-338.090, prevailing wages need not be paid if the project at issue does not fit the definition of a “public work” and does not involve a “public body.” (Carson-Tahoe Hospital v. Building and Construction Trades Council of Northern Nevada, 122 Nev. 218 (2006)) This bill clarifies that where a statute provides that the provisions relating to prevailing wage apply, prevailing wages are required to be paid regardless of whether the project for financing or other purposes is publicly or privately owned, and solely for the purposes of those provisions, the project is deemed a public work and the relevant public agency is deemed to be a party to the contract and to be the public body for purposes of performing certain duties relating to the prevailing wage requirements. Section 21 of this bill provides that the prevailing wage requirements apply to certain installment-purchase agreements by local governments. Sections 22 and 23 of this bill clarify that the prevailing wage requirements apply to certain installment-purchase contracts entered into by the State or its political subdivisions.  Recommendation:  (2) Passed through override of Governor’s veto. 
   
• AB 478 (3) (BDR 230)
  Revises provisions relating to certain housing authorities. This bill, in a county whose population is 400,000 or more (currently Clark County), allows two or more (housing) authorities to form a regional (housing) authority. Such a regional authority is created by a resolution agreed to between or among, as applicable; the governing bodies of the local governments that desire to participate in the regional authority. A regional authority has the same powers and duties as a regular authority, except on an expanded geographic scale.  Recommendation (3) Passed. 
   
• AB 486 (2) (BDR 230)
  Makes various changes to provisions relating to mortgage lending.  Recommendation (2). Passed.
   
• AB 508 (2) (BDR 1113)
  Revises provisions governing the development of low-income housing.   Existing law prohibits the Housing Division of the Department of Business and Industry from financing any low-income residential housing unless the Administrator of the Division makes certain findings. (NRS 319.260) This bill provides that if the Division adopts regulations establishing a program for the financing of the lease, purchase or development of low-income multifamily housing, the regulations may establish the maximum amount of pro forma profit and overhead for a developer of a project, but the regulations must not restrict or require the deferral of the payment of profits and overhead to a developer of a project that is: (1) constructed, developed, financed or insured in whole or in part through any program established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; and  secured by a performance bond.  Recommendation:  (2) Passed. 
   
• SB 74 (2) (BDR 699)
  Removes a prospective expiration of certain provisions relating to use of various financial techniques by the State’s Housing Division. Passed.
   
• SB 376 (3) (BDR 730)
  Makes various changes relating to the prevailing wage requirements.  Passed Senate.  Passed Assembly.  Vetoed.  To 2011 session. 
   
• SB 377 (3) (BDR 729)
  Revises provisions relating to certain public works. (BDR 35-729).  Passed. 
   

     RAIN Position on Legislation

• (1) = High level of support (publicly stated)
• (2) = Moderate support
• (3) = Neutral
• (4) = Moderate Opposition
• (5) = Strong opposition (publicly stated)
• (6) = Proposal Awaiting Review by RAIN Board

Explanation of Symbols
†	BDRs that will result in legislation needing RAIN Board scrutiny
P	Passed by both houses of the Legislature
D	Did not pass
NA	No Action
E	Bills exempt from normal legislative deadlines. Can be acted upon until the end of the session.
V	Bill was vetoed by Governor and goes to 2011 session for possible override.
*	Priority Bill