CARSON CITY -- Leaders of homeowner association boards testified Friday that a bill to restrict their authority was developed in response to a few malcontents who don't want to follow the rules.

"This bill was put together based on comments from disgruntled people," Charles Goodwin, a representative of a Sun City homeowners association in Henderson. "There are always some disgruntled people. I am happy to say in ours it is less than one percent. People move into associations because they want the rules."

Goodwin and other association board members asked the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee to kill Senate Bill 362. The proposal, developed by Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas, would restrict their ability to fine and punish homeowners who fail to follow association rules.

The bill proposes dozens of limits on association board members' authority. They could no longer employ guards who use radar guns to catch and fine speeders. Members of the news media also would be permitted to attend board meetings. Board meetings also would be recorded.

But speaker after speaker criticized the 48-page bill.

Most, however, found parts of the bill they liked, but still called on Chairman Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, to kill the measure.

Homeowner Robert Hall said he has been sanctioned for $80,000 by his board "for the temerity to go into court against these people." He also complained his association levies assessment on all homeowners for golf course improvements, although only 9 percent play golf.

Nonetheless, Hall picked apart portions of the bill, saying he did not like its "one size fits all" approach.

More than 50 people attended the hearing. Many did not get a chance to speak during a 3 1/2 hour hearing that began at 7 a.m. Townsend recessed the hearing until 8:30 a.m. Monday, when he will take more testimony and consider amendments.

"Is there anything in the bill you found you liked?" Townsend asked after hearing the complaints. "This poor horse was dead an hour and a half ago.

"The public came to us on this issue," he added. "We didn't go looking for it. We do the best we can. I would rather have a root canal than be here today."

Schneider said he developed the bill in response to numerous complaints from homeowners about their association boards.

As an example, he said Steve Sisolak, a member of the state Board of Regents, complained he was fined $100 by his association after a delivery man sped to his home to deliver a pizza. Sisolak wasn't aware of the incident until the fine letter arrived.

"I don't think associations need to have that big of a police force and to give tickets from radar gun readings," Schneider said.

Schneider also questioned whether owners should be liable for the actions of their guests.

There have been cases where property owners were fined $100,000 because they did not build their custom homes within the required time, he said. In one case, he said the property owner was diagnosed with cancer and never built the home because the fines kept mounting.

Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, complained one homeowner was told to paint solar panels a terra cotta color even though that diminished the efficiency of the panels. She requested an amendment to block association boards from taking any action that hampers the efficiency of energy saving devices.

But audience members weren't sympathetic.

"We have radar guns in our community because our residents want them," said Charles O'Donnell, a representative of a 2,000-home gated community.