Gov. Kenny Guinn on Tuesday signed emergency regulations to clarify changes in the minimum wage law approved by voters in November.

The emergency regulations take effect immediately and will continue for 120 days, at which time Labor Commissioner Michael Tanchek will submit temporary regulations to be signed by the governor.

Tanchek determined a need for the emergency regulations after receiving numerous inquiries from employers as to specific interpretations of the constitutional amendment that went into effect Nov. 28.

Tanchek held a public information workshop Friday in Carson City that was broadcast live to the Sawyer Building in Las Vegas, where the public commented on the draft regulations and sought clarification of the law.

Major issues clarified through the emergency regulations included exceptions to the minimum wage law, the definition of health care, calculation of gross taxable income and premium payments, and compliance with overtime pay in accordance with wage and hour laws.

Tanchek will hold more workshops and hearings on minimum wage in January to refine the emergency regulations that are set to expire in April. The temporary regulations will expire Nov. 1.

A draft of the emergency regulations defines minimum wage in two tiers. The lower tier pays $5.15 to $6.14 an hour by employers who provide qualified health insurance benefits. Those who do not offer health benefits will pay the upper tier of $6.15 an hour.

Employees younger than 18, people employed by a nonprofit organization for after-school or summer work and trainees for a period not longer than 90 days are exempt from minimum wage law.

The regulation stipulates that qualified health insurance must be made available to the employee and the employee's dependents. Furthermore, the employee's cost share of the insurance premium cannot exceed 10 percent of gross taxable income as defined by the IRS for the interval between premium payments.