6/11/07-Gov. Jim Gibbons signed a bill into law that adds $1 billion to ease gridlock on certain freeways.
The new law, previously AB595, diverts rental car and property taxes, as well as hotel room taxes in Las Vegas. The diversion amounts to more than $234 million annually for major road work within the next 10 years.
The money will finance $1 billion in bonds for improvements to Interstate 15 and U.S. 95 in the Las Vegas area and Interstate 80 near Reno. The bulk of the funds will stay in southern Nevada.
An earlier version of the bill called for adding a weight-distance tax of 15 cents per mile for many large trucks.

4/17/07-The Assembly Transportation Committee approved a bill that would add a weight-distance tax of 15 cents per mile for trucks weighing more than 55,000 pounds, including local garbage trucks and cement haulers. The levy could generate $1.3 billion through 2015.
Sponsored by Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, AB595 also would tab higher fees are rental car firms. It would increase revenue by another $87 million in the same period by tacking on a 2 percent state tax on car rentals.
The bill now moves to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. If approved there, it would head to the chamber floor before it could go to the Senate.
For bill status, call (775) 684-6800.